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Catholics had called for facts, showing the evil
consequences of these institutions as a justification of inquiry,
none had been produced; and this consideration had
very much influenced his mind upon this question. In
religion he was the very antipodes of a Roman Catholic;
but he knew that a change could not be effected by
persecution or insult. He had visited nunneries, and the
result of his inspection had led him to the conclusion
that these were most useful establishments.—Mr.
WHITESIDE recalled the house to the real question,
whether an inquiry was expedient into these establishments,
with reference to the alienation of the property
of the inmates, and he referred to several cases, in
recent times, before the courts in Ireland, in which
instruments divesting such persons of their own property
in favour of conventual establishments had been
contested on the ground of coercion and influence. With
all these instances upon record, there was nothing
unreasonable, he remarked, in asking for an inquiry into
the influence alleged to be exerted over persons in
convents, and, if the inquiry redounded to the honour
of these institutions, they would have the benefit of it.
After a strong denunciation of the anti–progressive
spirit of the ultramontane Romish party, he expressed
his firm conviction that, whatever might be the fate of
this motion, there must ultimately be an inquiry into
this subject.—Mr. DRUMMOND said, it had been
his good fortune and happiness to number Roman
Catholics among his private friends,—all his sympathies
were, therefore, in their favour; but he took his stand
upon the fact that the secular power assumed by the
Roman Catholic clergy was never abandoned, never
mitigated or mollified; they had declared their
determination to carry out, and he was equally determined
to expose, the object they aimed at, and the means by
which they meant to accomplish it. He acknowledged
the charitable labours of Roman Catholics, which put
those of Protestants to shame; but this was not the
question; the question was, whether the inmates of
convents required protection. The legislature had found
it necessary to protect children against the cruelty of
their parents, which took different forms in different
classes of society. The opponents of the inquiry talked
of the liberty of these persons; but what liberty could
there be where priests laid down the doctrine, that the
very perfection of Christianity was to believe that black
was white and white black, if Holy Church said so?—Mr.
O'Brien opposed the motion, as did Mr. Roche, who
contended that no cause had been shown for inquiry,
and that the law was strong enough already.—Sir. J.
TYRELL mentioned facts which he thought disproved
the assertion that the inmates of convents had freedom
of egress.—Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD stated and discussed
the details of the cases cited by Mr. Whiteside, and
observed that, old as these establishments were in Ireland,
only four instances could be adduced of anything like
coercion, and in every case the law had free scope.
Inquiry was unnecessary upon that ground; and, with
resepect to personal liberty, the Habeas Corpus Act
afforded a sufficient remedy. He considered this motion
as more objectionable than the bill, and protested against
inquiry, which, upon such a subject, would prolong and
exasperate irritation.—On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON,
the debate was adjourned until the 10th of August.

On Thursday, July 21, in the mid–day sitting, the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER withdrew the Savings
Bank Bill on account of the late period of the session,
and stated that before the commencement of next
session the bill should have further consideration. He
observed that if the security of the country should
be given to the depositor, it could be effected only under
the most efficient control over the management and the
funds.

In the evening sitting Colonel BLAIR inquired whether
any official report had reached the War–office that
Sickness Prevailed at the Camp at Chobham. Sir John
Shelley had read a "newspaper statement" to that effect
on a previous evening, the truth of which Colonel Blair
took that opportunity of denying.—The SECRETARY–at–
WAR stated that all the reports which had been received
concurred in testifying to the good humour and
cheerfulness with which the troops had performed their duty.
With regard to sickness, he was able to state that it
prevailed to a less extent than it would, probably, had
the same number of men been in barracks.

Mr. BRIGHT asked a question with regard to the
Case of Phillips the Cabman, sentenced by a police
magistrate to a month's imprisonment, for not being
able to pay 5s. deposit for the measurement of a
disputed distance.—Lord PALMERSTON said that it
should be inquired into. He added that a book of
distances was in preparation.

The Government of India Bill was resumed in
committee, and several clauses were agreed to.

On Friday, July 22, Mr. LAYARD asked a question
with regard to the state of the Negotiations Pending
between Russia and Turkey, and with regard to the
production of papers. He denounced the conduct of
Russia as altogether unprecedented and dangerous, not
only to weak states, but to the peace of Europe itself.
He considered that the house had a right to know the
position assumed by the English government, in order
to judge whether that position was worthy of the gravity
of the circumstances and the honour of the country.
Should the house consider that the protests or
remonstrances made by the government were unequal to the
necessities of the crisis, they could then express their
opinion; and he hoped that Lord J. Russell would name
a day for the discussion of the question.—Lord John
RUSSELL described the present state of affairs as they
are publicly known, and observed that the determination
of the government to maintain the independence of
Turkey had been marked by the sending of the fleet to
the Dardanelles. Negotiations had also been instituted,
for it was evident that until all such means had been
tried, no minister was justified in hazarding so valuable
a blessing as peace. While negotiations were in progress,
it would be unadvisable to lay the papers relating to
them before a popular assembly for the purpose of
debate. On that ground he appealed to the house not
to insist upon their production, especially as the
negotiations, so far from having terminated, had scarcely
commenced, owing to the length of time necessary for
communicating with Constantinople and then with
St. Petersburg. Lord John remarked in terms of high
praise upon the reply of the French minister to the
Russian note, and expressed the concurrence of the
English government with the conduct of France in the
affair. The two powers were united in the maintenance
of the faith of treaties, and the preservation of the
peace of Europe. Should all their efforts fail, then
ministers would not hesitate to make an appeal to the
patriotism of parliament. Under all circumstances, he
could not name a day for the discussion of Mr. Layard's
motion.

Lord PALMERSTON, alluding to the Case of the Cabman
about which a question had been asked on the previous
day, stated that he had received a letter from the
magistrate, who said he decided that the cabman had made
an overcharge, but gave him the option of having
the ground measured, on making the usual deposit
of 5s. The cabman declined the test without
assigning the want of money as a reason. Upon this,
sentence was pronounced for the overcharge, namely, a
fine of 40s., which not being forthcoming, a month's
imprisonment was substituted. Since then the fine had
been paid, and the prisoner released.

The Government of India Bill was further considered
in committee, and a number of clauses were agreed to,
several amendments being negatived. A long incidental
discussion took place, arising from charges which had
been made by Mr. Bright against one of the directors,
but without any result.

On the motion for going into committee on the
Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Act Continuance Bill,
Mr. WHITESIDE gave the measure his fierce opposition,
in a long speech delivered at a late hour.—Mr. Keogh
replied in a still longer speech, delivered at a still later
hour, in favour of the bill.—Mr. Isaac Butt made a
speech, not objecting to the committee, but pointing out
defects in matters of detail.—Col. Dunne followed in
determined opposition to the bill.—Lord Naas also
supported Mr. Whiteside; and after a discussion, in
which Mr. M'Cann and Mr. Macartney took part,
the bill was committed pro formâ.

On Monday, July 23, the house proceeded in