Sitting of 24 August 1843

MINUTES.
BILLS. Public.—1° Parishes (Scotland).
PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Mr. Emerson Tennent, from Lisburn, against the Repeal of the Union.—From the Dioceses of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin, in favour of Schools in connexion with the Church Education Society.—From Cork, in favour of the Arms (Ireland) Bill.—From Ennisworthy, for Altering the Irish Poor-law.

MURDER OF COLONEL STODDART AND CAPTAIN CONOLLY.
Mr. Cochranebegged to ask the right hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government whether any official account had been received of the barbarous murder of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly? With the latter of these gentlemen he had had the happiness to be acquainted, and knew him to be a man of most estimable character. He was sure the House would sympathize with him on the occasion, and he begged to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in case the report on this subject was confirmed, he had any hope of obtaining redress against the Ameer of Bokhara, who had been guilty of the crime?
Sir R. Peelsaid, he was not surprised that the hon. Gentleman should entertain the feelings he had manifested at so barbarous an act as the murder of two British subjects by the Ameer of Bokhara, and independent of the influence of personal feelings arising from private friendship, he was sure every subject of her Majesty must feel the deepest indignation at such at such an outrage upon humanity. The Government had not received any direct official account, confirming the report of the murder of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly, they had received no direct positive assurance amounting to complete proof of the fact, but as the hon. Gentleman had intimated to him his intention to ask this question, he had gone through the whole of the papers, and he confessed the evidence contained in them was so strong that he feared there could not be a question that on the 17th of June, 1842, the two officers in question were murdered in a barbarous manner by the orders of the Ameer of Bokhara. Colonel Shiel, in despatch of the 12th of Novem-

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ber 1842, sent an account, given by a Persian of good character, of the name of Saaleh Mahomed, who was at Bokhara, giving a circumstantial narrative of the murder of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly. The writer was present in the town, and the account which he gave carried with it certainly internal evidence of truth. Subsequently, reports were circulated at Teheran that the account was not true, and it was stated that a letter had been received from Bokhara declaring that the murder of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly had not taken place—that a Greek and a slave had been murdered and their bodies exhibited to the people, and a report spread by authority of the Government that these were the bodies of two British subjects, but that the two British subjects were still alive. That report received from India, created a belief that the original account of the murder was incorrect; but upon referring to the report of Mahomed Saalah, he found it stated that the murder of the Greek and the slave took place on the 10th of June, and the Persian distinctly stated that Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly were put to death on the 17th of June, consequently he was afraid the countenance given to the contradiction of the report was without foundation. A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 1st of July, stated that inquiries bad been made of the Envoy from Khiva, and the Envoy informed Count Nesselrode in a report, that accounts had reached Khiva from Bokhara, and he entered into details which left no doubt as to the truth of the story. That letter was received on the 10th of July, and therefore it confirmed the original statement. He had a letter from Colonel Shiel, written at Teheran, in which he transmitted a letter from the chief authority at Bokhara, a Persian, in which no express reference was made to the murder. Colonel Shed said, that this Persian officer demanded a sum of 3,500 tomans as due to him by Colonel Stoddart, who had lodged with him, and made no reference to the murder, but that this circumstance seemed confirmatory of the report of the death, as the omission of a direct reference to death was only in conformity with Persian manners. These accounts, therefore, from Teheran and Petersburg appeared to confirm the original report. He was sure the hon. Gentleman would not press him as to the adoption of the measures which this country had a
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right to press with a view to obtain redress. He believed all the civilised world to whom the matter had been communicated participated in our feelings on the occasion. The Emperor of Russia had behaved in a manner worthy of a Sovereign allied to this country. He had refused to entertain any communication with the Khan of Bokhara, and when an envoy was sent by the Khan to the Russian Government the Emperor refused to hold any communication with him. The Sultan had acted in the same manner; and therefore, without reference to the measures that might be taken in consequence of this barbarous murder of British subjects, he could only state that he felt the utmost indignation at so atrocious a crime and he did not despair that in some way or other punishment would reach the Government which had caused it.
Mr. Cochranewished to ask whether Captain Conolly, when he went abroad the last time, was employed upon the public service.
Sir R. Peelbelieved not.
Subject at an end.

PRICE OF BREAD.
Mr. T. Duncombebegged to say a few words, in order to remove an impression created by what had passed on a former occasion with respect to the price of bread in the metropolis. He understood that what had been said by the right hon. Baronet had caused considerable alarm and some indignation amongst a numerous and respectable body of men—the bakers of the metropolis. They maintained that the price of bread had risen and fallen with the price of wheat, and by a reference to the weekly averages of the price of wheat, their statement would be found to be borne out. The weekly average of wheat for the six weeks preceding the 7th of July was 49 s. 10 d.; the price of flour was 42 s. a sack, and bread was 7½d. the loaf. The average on the 12th of August was 61 s. 2d. for wheat, flour 53 s. the sack, and bread 9d. a leaf. Since the 12th of August the price of wheat had fallen 3s. It should be observed that there were two prices for bread, the higher and the lower price, and he understood the extreme price to which bread rose was from 6½d. to 8d., the bread which was sold by the bakers at what was called the West-end for 9d., being bread which they had previously sold for 7d. When the price of

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flour fell 3s. or 4s. the sack, it only reduced the price of bread by a halfpenny a loaf. The right hon. Baronet had recommended Gentlemen to deal with such parties as only charged a fair price. He believed the competition in the trade was so keen, that there need not be the slightest alarm of any advantage bring taken of the public. At all events, the right hon. Gentleman's doctrine ought to be carried much further, and to go the length of recommending all to buy wheat and flour in any part of the world where they could get them cheapest, and not to confine them to England, or the limits of the metropolis. He believed the statement of the bakers, to which he had referred, to be perfectly correct.

SPAIN.
Mr. Hindleybegged to ask the right hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, whether any information had been received of the French government having acknowledged the present government of Spain, and also whether the English Government was inclined to recognize it as a government de jure?
Sir R. Peelsaid, that in declining to answer the question, he would only say, he was quite certain it was the duty of the Government of this country—where other governments administered the powers of a foreign country—without expressing any opinion—to take care that British interests were not prejudiced.

STATUES OF DISTINGUISHED MEN.
Mr. Haweswished to ask the right hon. Baronet if he had taken into his consideration the propriety of decorating the new Houses of Parliament with statues of distinguished persons.
Sir R. Peelsaid, the hon. Gentleman and the House would probably recollect, that there had been some discussion on this subject a few nights ago, and the hon. Gentleman had proposed that commissioners, appointed to the particular duty of inquiring into the best mode of encouraging the arts in connection with the building of the new Houses of Parliament, should be empowered to consider whether it would be advisable that statues or other records of public gratitude to persons who had distinguished themselves in the departments of literature, science, and the arts, should be placed in them. He rather objected to giving a general
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power to the commissioners, but said at the time that he had no objection to authorise them to ascertain whether there was any part of the edifice now being constructed for the two Houses of Parliament which could be appropriated to the reception of such statues or memorials, and if they were of opinion that any part could be so appropriated, that they should have full powers to consider what would be the best mode of attaining the double object of raising a lasting record of public gratitude to distinguished persons, and, at the same time, encourage the arts; and he fulfilled his pledge in a few days after it was made, by giving to the commissioners full power to consider the question.

CATHEDRALS.
Mr. Ewartasked whether there was any probability of the cathedrals being thrown open to public inspection?
Sir Robert Peelsaid, he had no authority in the matter, and could only express his own strong opinion in reference to it. He could only state that for the purpose of protecting property from any injury which might arise from the admission of the public, the Government would lend the assistance of the police, and every aid in their power, to obviate the objections that had been made to the suggestions on this subject; and he should have thought, after the example of throwing open the cartoons without charge, from which not the slightest injury had arisen, it would be considered that free access might be allowed without the apprehension of any mischievous consequences, and that where the admission was unrestricted, the public would themselves act as a police, as was exemplified in the cases of the British Museum and the Cartoons.
Subject at an end.

PROROGATION.
The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the Table, and delivered the Queen's command for the immediate attendance of the Commons in the House of Peers.
The Speaker attended by the Members present, proceeded to the House of Lords, and on their return the right hon. Gentleman read at the Table the speech delivered by her Majesty from the Throne, immediately after which the assembled Members withdrew.

MINUTES.
BILLS Public.—Received the Royal Assent.—Exchequer Bills; Consolidated Fund; Defamation and Libel; Foreign Jurisdiction; Slave Trade Suppression; Municipal Corporations; Sudbury Commission; Public Notaries; Chelsea Hospital Out-Pensioners; Poor Relief (Ireland); Charitable Loan Societies (Ireland); Municipal Corporations (Ireland).
Private.—Received the Royal Assent.—Liverpool Fire Prevention; British Iron Company; Gilbert's (or Miller's) Estate.
PETITIONS PRESENTED. By the Marquess of Clanricarde, from Traders of London, for an Inquiry into the Management of Railroads.—From Lisburn, against the Repeal Agitation.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.
Her Majesty went in State to the House of Peers, for the purpose of proroguing Parliament. Being seated on the Throne, and the Commons having come to the Bar, the Speaker addressed her Majesty as follows:—
MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,
Your Majesty's faithful Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland attend your Majesty with the Bill which closes the Supplies for the present year. In granting these Supplies, we have paid a strict attention to economy, at the same time, that we have amply
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provided for the naval and military establishment of the Empire; for however much we might desire a diminution of the public burthens, under the pressure of that severe, although, as we hope, temporary, distress which still exists in many parts of the country, we are satisfied, that we best consult the true interests of the people, as well as the honour and dignity of the Crown, by fully maintaining the efficiency of the public service. During the progress of a laborious Session, our attention has been directed to various important questions of domestic policy, to the improvement of our institutions, and to the beneficial alteration of some branches of the law. We have witnessed, with deep concern, the unhappy divisions which have occurred in the Church of Scotland, and which have led to the secession of many of her most valued ministers. We have endeavoured, we trust successfully, to heal those divisions, and to restore peace to an establishment, which is fraught with such inestimable blessings to the inhabitants of that part of the United Kingdom. Another measure which has commanded our consideration, connected with the Church of England, we believe to be most important in its consequences. By facilitating the endowment of Churches in populous districts, and by thus seconding the views of those whose piety and munificence may dispose them to supply the spiritual wants of their poorer neighbours, we have laid the foundation of a wise and valuable extension of sound religious instruction among large masses of the people, under the auspices of the Established Church. Whilst we have been thus occupied in promoting objects of domestic importance, we have not disregarded the interests of your Majesty's subjects in those more distant lands which are visited by British enterprise and commerce, and which have the advantage of your Majesty's protection. And if the Session, which by your Majesty's permission, is now about to

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terminate, has not been distinguished by measures of such prominent interest as that which preceded it, yet at no time have your Majesty's faithful Commons applied themselves more assiduously to the arduous duties which have devolved upon them: and their labours will be abundantly rewarded if they tend in any degree to the permanent security of our institutions, and to the contentment and happiness of the people.
The Royal Assent was given to several bills.
Her Majesty then read the following Speech, laying a marked emphasis on the passages relating to Ireland:—
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"The state of Public Business enables me to close this protracted Session, and to release you from further attendance on your Parliamentary duties.
"I thank you for the Measures you have adopted for enabling me to give full effect to the several Treaties which I have concluded with Foreign Powers.
"I have given my Cordial Assent to the Bill which you presented to me for Increasing the Means of Spiritual Instruction in Populous Parishes, by making a Portion of the Revenues of the Church available for the Endowment of Additional Ministers.
"I confidently trust that the Wise and Benevolent Intentions of the Legislature will be aided by the Zeal and Liberality of my Subjects—and that better Provision will thus be made for Public Worship and for Pastoral Superintendence in many Districts of the Country.
"I view with Satisfaction the Passing of the Act for removing Doubts respecting the Jurisdiction of the Church of Scotland in the Admission
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of Ministers, and for Securing to the People and to the Courts of the Church the full Exercise of their respective rights.
"It is my earnest Hope that this Measure will tend to Restore Religious Peace in Scotland, and to avert the Dangers which have Threatened a Sacred Institution of the utmost Importance to the Happiness and Welfare of that part of my Dominions.
"I continue to receive from all Foreign Powers Assurances of their friendly Disposition, and of their earnest desire for the Maintenance of Peace.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the Readiness and Liberality with which you have Voted the Supplies for the current Year. It will be my constant Object to combine a strict regard to Economy with the Consideration which is due to the Exigencies of the Public Service.
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"In some Districts of Wales the Public Peace has been Interrupted by lawless Combinations and Disturbances, unconnected with Political causes. I have adopted the Measures which I deemed best calculated for the Repression of Outrage, and for the Detection and Punishment of the Offenders.
"I have at the same time Directed an Inquiry to be made into the Circumstances which have led to Insubordination and Violence in a part of the Country usually distinguished for good Order and willing Obedience to the Law.
"I have observed with the deepest

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concern the persevering efforts which are made to stir up Discontent and Disaffection among my Subjects in Ireland, and to Excite them to Demand a Repeal of the Legislative Union.
"It has been, and ever will be, my earnest desire to Administer the Government of that Country in a spirit of strict Justice and Impartiality, and to co-operate with Parliament in effecting such Amendments in the existing Laws as may tend to Improve the social Condition and to develope the natural Resources of Ireland.
"From a deep Conviction that the Legislative Union is not less Essential to the attainment of these Objects than to the Strength and Stability of the Empire, it is my firm Determination, with your Support, and under the Blessing of Divine Providence, to maintain inviolate that great Bond of Connection between the Two Countries.
"I have forborne from requiring any additional Powers for the Counteraction of designs Hostile to the Concord and Welfare of my Dominions, as well from my unwillingness to distrust the Efficacy of the ordinary Law, as from my Reliance on the good Sense and Patriotism of my People, and on the solemn Declarations of Parliament in support of the Legislative Union.
"I feel assured that those of my faithful Subjects who have influence and authority in Ireland will discourage, to the utmost of their Power, a system of pernicious Agitation, which Disturbs the Industry and Retards the Improvement of that Country, and excites feelings of mutual Distrust and Animosity between different classes of my People."
At the conclusion of the Speech, the Lord Chancellor, by her Majesty's command, declared the Parliament prorogued.
The Speaker and the Commons retired, and the Peers separated.