Re-assembling of Parliament, after the Christmas Recess, on the 3rd of February-The West India Question becomes the first subject of Discussion -Lord George Bentinck moves for a Select Committee of Inquiry-His Speech-Speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. James Wilson, Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Disraeli-The Motion is agreed to without a Division-Loan of 200,000l. to some of the West Indian Colonies proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.-Discussion thereon-Unfavourable Intelligence received respecting the Condition of the West Indian Interest-Remedial Measures-Lord John Russell proposes his Plan in the House of Commons on the 16th of June-He reviews the past Legislation and existing Position of the Question at great length-The Ministerial Scheme is unfavourably received-Sir John Pakington moves an Amendment on the 18th of June, asserting the Claim of the Colonies to more effectual Relief-Speeches of Sir E. Buxton, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. K. Seymer, Mr. Hume, Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Hawes, and other Members-A warm personal Discussion arises touching the Administration of the Colonial Office-The Debate is continued by Adjournments at great length-Important Speech of Sir Robert Peel in favour of the Ministerial Measure The Amendment is rejected by 260 to 245-Several other Amendments are moved, but without success, by Mr. Bright, Mr. Barkly, Mr. Bouverie, and other Members-Lord John Russell's Resolutions are finally agreed to and embodied in a Bill, which passes through the House of Commons-Debates in the House of Lords on West Indian Affairs-Earl Grey introduces the Question discussed in the House of Commons affecting the Colonial Office, and vindicates his own Conduct-Speeches of Lord Stanley, Lord Brougham, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and other Members-Debate on the Second Reading of the Sugar Duties Bill-Speeches of Earl Grey, Lord Redesdale, and Lord Denman-The Second Reading is agreed to, and the Bill becomes Law Page [1
Finance Division of Public Opinion, at the commencement of the Session, respecting the National Defences-Views of the Free-Trade Leaders on the Subject-Lord John Russell makes a Financial Statement on the 18th of February-His Speech-Detail of the Income and Expenditure-Proposition for continuing the Income Tax for Three Years at the increased Rate of Five per Cent.-Unfavourable reception of the Ministerial Statement by the House-Sir Charles Wood endeavours to propitiate the Opposition by moving that the Army, Navy, and Ordnance Estimates be referred to a Select Committee-Observations of Mr. Hume, Lord George Bentinck, and other Members-Great Agitation excited in various parts of the Country by the proposed augmentation of the Income Tax-The