late Emperor-Basis of an Amended Constitution-Law for the Abo- lition of the Slave Trade. BUENOS AYRES.-BANDA ORIENTAL.- Revolution and Counter-revolution. COLOMBIA.-Dissolution of the Republic, and formation of the three Republics of Venezuela, New Granada, and the Equator. MEXICO.-General Santana declares War Second Report of Lords' Com- ib. 342 345 Protocol, No. 70, of the Con- of France, October 5th, 1832 353 ference, October 16th, 1832. 355 ib. CHAP. I. Meeting of Parliament — Discussions on the Address-Reform Bill introduced into the Commons-Alterations from the former bill-Debate on the Motion for the Second Reading-Speeches of Sir E. Sugden, Mr. Macauley, Mr. Croker, Lord Althorpe, Sir C. Wetherell, Mr. Stanley, Sir R. Peel, &c.-Second Reading carried, and Parliament adjourns for the Christmas holidays-Proceedings of the Special Commissions at Bristol and Nottingham-Court Martial on the Commander, and second in command, of the Troops at Bristol during the RiotsTrial of the Magistrates of Bristol. TH HE parliament which had been prorogued on the 20th of October, 1831, was again assembled on the 6th of December. Even if ministers had been inclined to take advantage of a longer interval, their reforming adherents were too violent and impatient to leave them any chance of retaining their popularity, unless they introduced anew, without delay, the bill which had just been lost in the House of Lords, and prepared at the same time to exercise the royal prerogative in so modelling that House VOL. LXXIV. as to fill it with a majority favourable to the popular innovations which were in prospect. The bill had scarcely been negatived, when deputations of London reformers intruded themselves into the presence of lord Grey, urging the necessity of not prolonging the prorogation beyond a week or two, and of immediately renewing the efforts to accomplish the same kind and measure of reform. Ministers themselves were pledged neither to propose, nor to accede to, any bill "less efficient" than the one [B] which the Lords had just rejected. It was possible that they might consider something very different in kind to be equally efficient in its results; but to the ears of their supporters this language must have meant, that the same quantity of actual innovation was still to be enforced; and if so, then it was not easy to see how a different result could be anticipated in the House of Peers. The political unions, therefore, the reforming clubs, and the reforming Journals, pressed upon the ministry, day and night, the necessity of constraining the king to create such a number of reforming peers, as would render futile all opposition in the upper house; and lord Grey was told, that if he hesitated to take this step, he would be regarded and treated as a betrayer of that cause which alone had given him power, and had enabled him to retain it. It was taken for granted that the king, who was himself held forth as the great patron of the bill, was ready to secure its success by making the peers bend to the prerogative; or, if he should be reluctant, then, it was plainly announced, the people would find means to bring both his Majesty and the peers into a fitting temper of concession. On the 6th of December, the king opened the session in person with the following speech : "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have called you together that you may resume, without further delay, the important duties to which the circumstances of the times require your immediate attention; and I sincerely regret the inconvenience which I am well aware you must experience from so early a renewal of your labours, after the short interval allowed you for repose from the fatigues of the last session. "I feel it to be my duty, in the first place, to recommend to your most careful consideration the measures which will be proposed to you for a reform in the Commons' House of Parliament: a speedy and satisfactory settlement of this question becomes daily of more pressing importance to the security of the state, and to the contentment and welfare of my people. "I deeply lament the distress which still prevails in many parts of my dominions, and for which the preservation of peace both at home and abroad will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, afford the best and most effectual remedy. I feel assured of your disposition to adopt any practicable measures, which you will always find me. ready and anxious to assist, both for removing the causes and mitigating the effects of the want of employment, which the embarrassments of commerce and the consequent interruption of the pursuits of industry have occasioned. "It is with great regret that I have observed the existence of a disease at Sunderland, similar in its appearance and character to that which has existed in many parts of Europe. Whether it is indigenous, or has been imported from abroad, is a question involved in much uncertainty; but its progress has neither been so extensive nor so fatal as on the continent. It is not, however, the less necessary to use every precaution against the further extension of this malady; and the measures recommended by those who have had the best opportunities of observing it, as most effectual for this purpose, have been adopted. "In parts of Ireland a systematic opposition has been made to the payment of tithes, attended, in some instances, with afflicting results; and it will be one of your first duties to inquire whether it may not be possible to effect improvements in the laws respecting this subject, which may afford the necessary protection to the established church, and at the same time remove the present causes of complaint. "But in this and in every other question affecting Ireland, it is, above all things, necessary to look to the best means of securing internal peace and order; which alone seem wanting to raise a country, blessed by Providence with so many natural advantages, to a state of the greatest prosperity. "The conduct of the Portuguese government, and the repeated injuries to which my subjects have been exposed, have prevented a renewal of my diplomatic relations with that kingdom. The state of a country, so long united with this by the ties of the most intimate alliance, must necessarily be to me an object of the deepest interest. The return to Europe of the elder branch of the illustrious house of Braganza, and the dangers of a disputed succession, will require my most vigilant attention to events, by which not only the safety of Portugal, but the general interests of Europe, may be affected. "The arrangement which I announced to you at the close of the last Session, for the separation of the states of Holland and Belgium, has been followed by a treaty between the five Powers and the king of the Belgians, which I have directed to be laid before you as soon as the ratifications shall have been exchanged. "A similar treaty has not yet been agreed to by the king of the Netherlands; but I trust the period is not distant when that sovereign will see the necessity of acceding to an arrangement, in which the plenipotentiaries of the five Powers have unanimously concurred, and which has been framed with the most careful and impartial attention to all the interests concerned. "I have the satisfaction to inform you that I have concluded with the king of the French a convention, which I have directed to be laid before you, the object of which is the effectual suppression of the African slave trade. This convention, having for its basis the concession of reciprocal rights, to be mutually exercised in specified latitudes and places, will, I trust, enable the naval forces of the two countries, by their combined efforts, to accomplish an object which is felt by both to be so important to the interests of humanity. "Regarding the state of Europe generally, the friendly assurances which I receive from foreign Powers, and the union which subsists between me and my Allies, inspire me with a confident hope that peace will not be interrupted. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be prepared, and they will, in due time, be laid before you. I will take care that they shall be formed with the strictest regard to economy; and I trust to your wisdom and patriotism to make such provision as may be required for the public service. 66 My Lords and Gentlemen, "The scenes of violence and outrage which have occurred in the city of Bristol, and in some |