The Sun. — London, England, 1858-02-09 00:00:00

TICE SON LONDON, TUESDAY EVENI NG, FEBRUARY 9, 18,58,. may be explained or triumphantly defended, but I see in lieved, the whole of the European residents, which again it inconsistency and incoherency; and to vote thanks to a net with a refuel in en abrupt and offensive manner, G overnor-General to whose policy on the surface I must telling them, at the same time, the outbreak was only par impute greet public disaster and misfortune is most nurse- hal, and that the disturbances were nearly quelled. It, sonable one impolitic. Dear.) The leml , !er 1 tells us however, subsequently transpired that on the 9th of May, th , t, Lord Canning has been ma- deal aly muse .1 in for- , two days before the first refusal of the loyal inhabitants of warding troop s th e on hout the, a %ninttv, ; 'yet .at news- Calcutta, Lor 1 Causing had written home speaking of the gapers are not tole truetsd, and that Priv. . e lei.ors are not al4.rining events at Meerut and Delhi, and the datigerons to be attends I to, The (Loth) lord it in po-session of official , state of the whole native army in Bengal- (Hear.) He despatches, lint we have no keowleege of them, and must did not mean to say it was Lord Canning's duty to hold gain our information in tit , best manner w , 3 'an. Having I the same language to the deputations that he did to the given the most careful attention to the subject, lam under Court of Directors, but it was perfectly clear that his an the imp ression that there was el ewers were injudicious to them, seeing that the Bengal anmetabletl e fi c i ene y i n th e traneport eeryice and that on the arrival of the troops at army had revolted on the 9 th. On the 12 th of June, a Calc u t ta they found that no preparations hal been made for little more than a fortnight after, Lord Canning was their reception. In November an official telegraphic des- obliged to accept the offer that he hadbeforecontutneliously Patch was received announcing th e arr i va l o f th e troops, and offensively rejected. (Hear.) Another and more and stated th a t th ere were no means of forwarding them set ions instance . - f vacillation on the part of L or d C ann i ng np was with reference to Nepaul. Delhi, it will be remern the count r y. Th e c h arge aga i nst L ord Coin i ng was that he did not take the s t e p s that "en absolutely requil bered, was captured by the rebels on the 11th of May, and site, an d upon which thefortune of the campaign depended sooner was it known at Nepaul than an o ff er was depended sent - -and that by his neglect we are about to enter into a third to Lord Canning of the assistance of a large Ghoorka force, camp a i gn. We want to know why he did not send to which he accepted, and by the end of May th e y h a d near l y Madre') for bullocks when they might there have been ob- , arrived at Lucknow. On the 27th of June the first Inas ;sacra occurred at Cawnpore, and in th e m iddl e o f J u l y tained. Th ere are many ot h er matters w hi c h oug h t to b e a nswered satisfa c t or ily, b u t w ith ou t i nqu i ry we are ca ll e d : those horrible events in connection with th e we ll o f Cawn npon t o pass a vote which would prevent us hereafter from pore. What, he asked, was it th a t cause d L or d Canning, ' criti c i s i ng the conduct of his lordship. I should like to ;in May, when the Ghoorka f o r ce was so near L ucknow, know the m o ti ves w hi c h i n fl uence d L or d Canning am con- in sup-i to change his mind and s e nd th em b ac k , b ut i n the end Pressing the En,gli h press in India. (Hear.) I Lord Canning was oblig e d, th e same as i n the case of the e 'slued, f rom th e i n f orma ti on w hi c h I possess , an d w hi c h volunteers to send for th em b ac k aga i n. He had no wish to be harsh with Lord Canning, Ratio should be thankful does n o t come from anonymous wr i ters i n t h e C a l cutta Papers, that that was an unnecessary step, and that it has to find he did not deserve the censure that had been cast entailed great mischief up decision on this subject on an on our interests. Ido not wish upon him ; but ho feared th a t it was upon th e vac ill a ti ng the h o u se I conduct of the Governor-General at C a l cu tt a mus t res t th e occasion like the present ; but I say that it is monstrous blame of those unhappy events at C awn p ore an d L uc k now . to call u p on us t o come t o a v o t e w hi c h w ill p rec l u d e us ' (Hear, h hereafter from canvassing the conduct of Lord Canning. Mr. V. SMITH : No, no. It is of the utmost importance that the house should come Sir J. PAKINGTON said no one would more heartily to s. calm decision, and not be estoppel from future criti- rejoice than himself if it were proved otherwise. The dam on the conduct of a minister who has had to deal with right honourable baronet then referred to the occurrence these remarkable events, and as to the manner in which of a later date at Dinapore. Remonstrance after remou he treated them. (Hear.) Then we ought to know some- strauce, both public, and private, were made to the Go thing as to the relations of the government of Calcutta we/nor-General to tiisarin the regiments, in vain. Depute and the kingdom of Oude since the rebellion commenced. tons of influential merchants waited on him, but with no lam informed that since the commencement of that rebels more success than the Calcutta Volunteers; yet a week hies the most considerable persons in the kingdom of Oude from that day had not elapsed before the revolt trunk place, have been attempting to negotiate with the government, aria the horrible scenes with which they wore so familiar, and would have been desirous to assist in a settlement, took place at Arra,h. Allehabacl was also a most important which in my opinion would not only have been for the military position, but Lord Canning had loft there none 1 advantage of England, but one which principles of jus- but waive troops, notwithstanding remonstrences from ties demanded. lam told that this negotiation was every quarter. He also thought it highly unadvisable in commenced long before the war; that Lord Canning, as Lord Canning to supr is the English press in India, and ' We are we ll aware, k new cons id era bl y b efore the capture of that the dieti u cti on d rawn b e t ween th e E ng li s h an d na t ive Delhi that its fall was certain, and thet it was in the power press most impolitic. With these sentiments he could not of the government of India not only to have acconplished agree iii the whole of th e vo t e o f th an k s now propose d, the fall o f D e l hi, but at the same thne to have pacified l The opposition had passed no censure on Lord Canning, i Oude. (Hear, hear.) That is a most impot tont consider. 1 feeling that the Goveinmeat of India ought not to be em otion. But if hereafter soy hon. gentleman should bring I barrassal at a critical moment. But it was quite a dif- forward a motion on this subject —on the very pivot, per. 1 fereut thing to approve the conduct of Lord Canning in the haps, of which the fortunes of India depend- ho will he (Hear, hear.) precluded from discussing the matter, and will be tell b I inl a ' i n o w it l . w l7. P M " .l. l 7G e te ES was anxious to express his the minister, "You cannot bring forty' aid such pr op. 7 I earnest thanks both to the military and civil service in tion, because the home has unanimously t i t . , k a o ;, P t i t . 1 India, for their conduct during the late emergency, and Canning for his conduct." (Haar, hoer.) I not m commit ine myself upon the conduct of the Governor-General. Th e r i g ht a gainst Lord Canning. lam prepared to listen leittweari- hen• gentleman had said that the votes of the H o u se o f dour to any d e f ence t h at may be offered for him- but I se, Commons would be " d e t arae t e d" if th e vo t e o f th an k s t o let u s h ave t h e opportunity of bringing forward the Lord Canning wore all ewe d t o p ass . char ges i n a complete manner, and coming to a decision Mr. DISRAELI said the hon. member was in error in upon them, but do not let the house in this surreptitious attributing this phrase as applied to Lord Canning. manner be precluded fromexercising its highest functions, Mr. MANGLE' (in continuation) said that a careful thand lose the opportunity of expressing its opinion as to study of the conduct of the Governor-General hat brought be direct or indirect cause of any disasters which may him to the conclusion Ora throughout Lord Canning had yve occurred, an d o f any d angers w hi c h may b e i mpen d- acte d with remarkable vigour and energy. Lord Canning shall (Hear, hear.) I w i s h t o reco mmend a course whi c h h a d f rom the first endeavoured to procure troops from all not be invidious to Lord Canning. I want to treat available sources, and the right hon member for Droit -I,e l ui with fairness. Ido not wish to take his name out of wit c h was qu i te i n error with regard to the dates on which the category of the illustrious persons in which it a pp ears . the Ghoorktie left Nep a ul. Th e fact was that when the It What I wish th e no bl e L or d t o d o i s t o pos t pone t hi s vote. disaster took pla ce a t L uc k now , th ese t roo p s b a d no t l e ft cannot be invidious or offensive to Lord Canning to do Nepaul. The right 'non. gentleman was in error with regard 10, ;f we postpone the vote to Sir John Lawrence, who to other dates. But if persons in this country relied on in l'eealtly deserves more than any other man, whether matt' formation derived from Calcutta, they would be woefully ae e ika r, _sailor, or civilian. (Cheers.) I say let us give an Ileceived, for no capacity could be too great for the daecs `,Coseirnous.yote of thanks to the army and navy, and all tion of news cowing from that source. Virulence and in ;Ti a parties who are named in the other resolutions. justice had been heaped upon Lord Canning by a portion In it) Let the noble lord postpone the first resolution, of the population of Calcutta under the most trying eir ,,r. give a fair notice of his intention to bring it forward cumstauces ; and all this ill-feeling had arisen from the thein_nle other time, and if we do give a vote of thanks to spite of the press at being curbed in the expression of their ,_Governor-General, let it be given in a manner gratify- hostile sentiments. Au,ongst other delusions in this coons hg . to the Governor-General. Let not mail go out try was one which attributed a difference between Lord with the information that a vote of thanks has been Candug and Sir Colin Campbell. This rumour had no solid smuggled through the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) foundatiou. Such difference certainly could not arise out Will that reward him ? Will that sustain him in his of any charge that Lord Canning had neglected the com labours ? Will that add to hi s moral influenc e in Cal- missariat of the army, or lost any opportunities for facili eutta ? No. There is not a gentleman in the house who tatingt e h n e co pa o s f sage of troops to the scene of the mutiny. d l s n would not consider a vote of thanks under such circum stances worse than no thi ng . I nstea d of being held forth he contended tha a t u t y lie governor-genera most roc po yr °served as a vot e t o a statesmas who has deserv e d we ll o f hi s t h e thanks of the house for that portion of his conduct with horse . of party (Hear.) Let the con d uct o f L ar d C an - member thou referred to some remarks which he had used w a ',ltgnefiiil y discuss e d, an d if it b e exp l a i ned in a manner at the India Fleuse, which ware supposed to cast a reflec tene . will bring con v i c ti on t o a can did m i nd, I trill be tion on th e m ilit ary con d uct of the late General Barnard .7 first Person to v o t e an unqua lifi e d approbation of his before Delhi. On the contrary, he thought that officer f!tesenunet. (Hear.) It i s no t or i ous th at t h ere h as b een a had acted with considerable skill in the military system he ,°ltu °dal sent to this country signed by two thousand of had pursued, and he gave this explanation in order to : re rmolt consid era bl e E uro p eans i n C a l cu tt a , respec ti ng move a misapprehension which he believed had arisen in teest n o uduet of Lord Canning- Ido not in any w a y con • th e m i n d o f a l a d y nearly oonneoted with the late general. oeeraPielf with t h e c h arges con t a i ns i n th a t memor i a l. (H ear, h ear. ) W ith regard to the conduct of the troops, Z"" i at say th e y proceed from persons of high character both Queen's and East Indi a C om p an y s , grea t as was th e a t in imenCe, and that if the document had been on the praise which th e y d eserve d f or th e i r va l our i n ac ti on, an d their '''''s might have discussed the charges, and ascertained amid the horrors of the siege, perhaps more than anything truth. That document was for , anted for presenta- else which redounded to their credit was their wonderful 0,"°;44, tO her Majest , but inasmuch as it was not trans- endurance under the burning sun of India. (Hear, hear.) rt . '" 4 in the usual form, through the Governor-General, Nor could too much praise be awarded to the civilians eon,. NoSres*ot considered authentic, and has been returned to fleeted with the East India Company, who had lavishly lel in order that it may be presented in the usual course. exposed their lives in the service of their oeuntry. (dear.) tr Ow t , if our countrymen residing in distant parts have Colonel SYKES believed that amidst difficulties which ko€l4" grievances to allege against their governors and have Lord Canning ha . had to encounter from the European pi, Other weans of bringing them before persons in autho- population he had acted with judgment and perseverance, I:4 7,.than by memor i a li sing the sovereign and petitioning and alma in a spirit of humanity characteristic of a Chris ptr'iatnent, I think if we avail ourselves of formalities to tiau gentleman. The Governor-General had become an l ot hav e the complaint beine heard, the parties complain- object of dislike in Calcutta, because he fearlessly put a ati t_e a great reason to be ' dissatiefied. I hope, under the cheek upou proceedings on the part of Europeans which etso ntetistances, that the noble lord will postpone the first were disastrous to our rule in ludia. Much had been said seittiiltion, but if he will not consent to that suggestion, I on the subject of the memorial sent to this country. But wtth r ove the previous question. (Cheers.) how would hon. gentlemen, if they occupied a position able . LA.BaUCHEEE regretted that the right honour- such es that filled by Lord Canning, relish an attack of h r gentleman who had last addressed the house should this kind being sent over from India to this country, with ?melTe done so mu c h t o di ver t th e h ouse from the real issue out the opportunity of contemporaneously refuting the or e it, and to place the vote in a false position. Her Ma. charge? The humblest native of India could memorialise Jesty' s Ministers did not ask the house to concur in a vote of the Crown, but the memorial must first pass through the teneral approbation, civil and military, of the Governor- hands of the Indian Government. He entirely concurred tieneral's conduct. Hal such been intended, it mightjustly in the whole of the vote. have been stated a surprise, and it wont' have been an im- Mr. WA.LPOLE thought the house was placed in an proper thing for the Government to hay proposed. The awkward position. (Iletr ) The house did not wish to atetion before the house had no reference to Lord Can- deny a vote of thanks for the brilliant service e performed l balNea ci v il p o li c y, h u t on ly hi e military po li cy i n directing by the army, but ou the other hand, it did n u t w i s h t o de tect superintending the military op e rations in Indi a . The gra d e a so l emn vo t e i n t o a matter of form. After read i ng tue tion before the house was in accordance with former the whole of the papers he was of opinion that Lord Oen- Pr he aeoedenta, and did not bind the house in the least to t [deg deserves the gratitude of th e country -(h ea r)--for prternor - General's civil policy, respecting which there although here and there fault mightbe found with his acts, r a blY was a diversity of opinion. To adopt the coarse he thought upon the whole he had acted with wonderful :Posed by the right hon. gentleman would be to imply calmness and forbearance. (Hear.) It was unfortunate, b _nsure on many deserving men, which he felt certain the however, that pending the memorial which had been for eorda had no desire to do. Referring to the civil policy of warded to this country, the noble lord the first Minister of t o daoning, he said that the Government were prepared the Crown had chosen this particular time for voting the at oi vird it. It was not a proper time then to discuss it. thanks of the House of Commons to the Governor-General. e i ho !t individual lied been pat in a position of greater respon- But the house ought to consider the effect which the denial I o VLY than hid Lord Canning. (Hear.) He went to of such a vote of thanks would have upon our present b ees with a mind full of desire by peaceful means to im- position in India---(heer),--and he should suggest to his L e p.° the condition of India. He had scarcely got there right hon. friend the member for Buckinghamshire the ettit;tecithis teemendons storm buret, which he met with withdrawal of his amendment. (Hear, from the ministerial rag e i i g e itl, a wisdom, and a ceolnese, that inspired coil. benches). The house had been told by the Secretary for blots itt ell around him. (Hear.) He felt certain that the the Colonies that this vote of thanes would net pledge it fo rd Cannin g ' s con d uc t was i nqu i re d i n t o , th e more th e h ouse to any op i n i on ea to the general policy of the o grewo a li t i . d be seen that he bad acted in a manner becoming Governor-General, and under these circumstances, if his ono ~, , a tatelMan entrust e d with the direction of so great right hon friend persisted in moving the previous ques 'rote %liable n empire. (Hear, hear.) He asked for no tiou, ho should feel constrained to vote against him. (Hear, th a t () , 1 approval of Lord Canning's administration, hear, from the ministerial benches.) ' h e ,. T' house should not depart from that ancient and Admiral WALCOI"I highly eulogised the gallantry of hi e dh ill s ee .ed course it had hitherto taken on occasions of this the Indi.n army throughout the late operations. w er e, wheri the house was about to vote, as he knew it Lard J. RUSSELL trusted that the temperate recom proVil.vote, their unanimous and cordial thanks and ap- mendation of the right hon member for Cambridge Uni. di ets l i u in the name of the country, to those gallant sol- varsity (Mr. Walpole) would be followed. (Hear, hear.) goidit teem in the hour of peril and difficulty had shown It might have been prudent to have postponed a vote of ttdory toe that would add another page of imperishable thanks to Lord Canning, but there could not be a doubt as io ua i to the annals of British history, he hoped the house to the expediency of presenting the thanks of Parliament lever tte a.et forges the courageous cond act of the civil to the army of India. (Hear, hear.) He belie ve d th a t th e With o , - , , who had di rec t e d an d super i n t en d e d th ese e ff or t s con d uc t o f L or d C ann i ng had been much misunderstood. st a i n on t 1. n 9c a mom en t th a t cou ld h e i n t erpre t e d i n t o a Th e a t roc i t i es comm itt e d by the sepoys aroused a natural %Ile. his unr‘ Own cond uc t or th e g l or y o f E ng l an d. He an d a d eep sp i r it o f resen t men t , , an d it cou ld no t b e eon course e t — e t he house to grant this vote, and adopt the cealed that if these atrocities were themselves dreadful, the GoyeetaCtrat Mended hy the right hon. gentleman. The revenge at first taken was carried to a very great extent. Lord C ane - ."' be repeated, would be ready to defend If Lord Canning had yielded to very natural feelings in of the f ad conduct when required, and as an instance the way of retaliation, it might have been found impossible th e G ot l e reports that had bean circulated relative to to hold India; but that noble lord, withstanding clamour letter f ernor•General, he said that he had seen a private and exposing himself to an odium which nothing but a Gov rota Sir Coll Campbell,in w hich he le of the calm conscience and a sustained wisdom could have en n ern oe hay- -Gonerel in the highest terms. Nothing could ablad him to withstand, issued a proclamation, which been tel s : o more satisfactory than the intercourse th a t had certainly had been much misunderstood, but the spirit of t a h i _Place between them, and Sir Colin expresso I himself which was that the innocent should not be punished with G ene ir ai te po rm s s of . the admirable qualities the Governor- the guilty. What was called the " Clemency Proclaina -11 ste t e,.. sassed as a man of business , a gentleman, and tions" had also been much misunderstood, as that ap etwalian• l iet h ) peered as a complement to other proclamations sit e. _ 4 I Year ear. lord at the head of deeply regretted that the noble which had previously laid the groundwork for mea o. her Majesty's Government, declined to sures of repression. Ile could prove that the course which lore the_ suggestion offered to hitn with so much moderat the noble lord then took was a very proper one, and ono ', i e b: the right boo. gentleman the member for Bucking- which would hereafter produce great benefit to the country. oainsture. He contended that the termsof th e resolutionlt was his conviction that the conduct pursued by Lord Pledged the house to the approbation of Lord Can* ' Conduct, the words being that the thanks of the n houseinsCanning was such as . to 'reflect the highest credit upon his should be given to Lord Canning, " for the energy and humanity . and decision of character. (Hear, bear.) In co o ncrio f ti o , r tr ue n k oble lord truspteedrstehvaetrethienrhigtehtmhootnioonu.rable ability with which he has employed the resources - at his command to quell the rebellion in India. In the absence member ;lON. hlltat s w li n El i t a b n o o r t e the hi hest tes'imeny to the of any report or documents to guide theta, they were gallantry and devotion ef the 1 t Colonel '• w brought to the irresistable conclusion, from the best infer- a native of the county which he a h e ad o th on e e ho N n e o l u ll ; to h r n ep w r as es oration that could be obtained, that Lord Cunning's careen sent. , .bad not been marked by that energy and ability the Go- Mr. BENTINCK deeply regretted that the course pur ,ve_rn. tn . ent would have them b e li eve , b e t by vac ill a ti on, i n - sued by her Majesty's Government should have forced the ;ninon, and a great w an t o f s t a t esman lik e capac i ty an d house into the unpleasant and ungracious position of ap -,10.hr ewe/Welts for th e efficient dis c h arge o f hi s d u ti es , peer i ng to dissent from a motion which gave thanks to tot . did not for a remnant deny that Lord Canning had lewd Canning, and thus preventing the resolution being ac_ tts:.l for the best, that he had been placed in a poeition of passed with that unanimity which was always shown in thls!,te dif f iculty, and that great allowances ought to be these cases. There were positive charges against Lord iZ u ,ati ni for the unexpected emergency in which he found Canning, and under these circumstances, and with the i"_.uself invelved, but he submitted that the votes of that strong feelings existing in this country respecting the state fo rm, u tt se were not to be complimented away as a matter of of affairs in India, he thought it was most unfair to call d i le'''. It was the duty of the house to take care that they upon the house to offer any opinion with respect to the are llie: accord their vote except in cases where the parties merits of Lord Canniug's conduct, before these questions a public the honour, an he wattled L . otel Canning, as had been thoroughly end completely investigated. The ',..." 11 0 man, might be able to prove his title to the great right hon. gentleman the Secretary for the Colonies (Mr. 4of his distingnished father. (Hear. hear.) He hardly Laboachere) had contended that the resolution only pledged sa e , anything so painful as to be oblige.l to take an the house to an opinion of the military part of the conduct *II piton to the course now pursued by the Government, of Lord Canning, he was perfectly unable to see in (gt e _ e t en . Was unfair both to the house and to Lord Canning. what manner one porton of the conduct of the noble lord kii7,, ) The noble lord ought 61 Thursday, when he gave could be approved, while other parts might be left open to sonif el' of motion, to have fairly and openly stated its discussion, and perhaps censure, on some future occasion. a ~,o r s. instead of attempting, as he had done, to obtain He was strongly of opinion thot there was to be found in wh ic “f e thanks f or the Governor-General by surprise, the papers already before the house abundant materials Itri ette _ could only attribute to the noole lord's fear that for finding fault even with the military conduct of Lord by t a : ° ,unosment would not have been favourably received , Canning, the errors connected with which had, in more Pl e a,. aense, (Re a r hear.) The ri g ht hon. baronet con- than one instance led to some of the worst features of the ,s'oteci t '' that the house . were celled upon to agree to the proceedings in India. If the right bon. member for Buck iiiittle nnyring as they did that a memorial, signed by 2,000 inghanishire proceeded to a division, he should give the amendment his support ; but if no division took place on 0 0 ntial persons in Calcutta, had been forwarded to the 1. tarn at wis . t tlint, praying for the Governor-General's recall, the subject, he should enter his protest against being de 1. barred in future from expressing airy opinion on the con la 4 1 wh ich had been returned on account of an informalit th e i r pr ose • lie ', t ruths as an official document on which to proceed. Mr. S. HERBERT gave his unqualified support and 0444 pro, however, it bad been received Gen the Govern- approval to the resolution proposed by her Majesty's 1. 0 4 1 per form through the Governoreral— Government. (Hear, hear.) He coneidered that it would etia J I)a reMERSTON—No. have been most improper for the Government to have bes e t ;_ FAICINGTON said that was an additional argu- omitted to include the name of Lord Canning in the vote non ee ttt favour of postponing the vote. He dehied that of thanks now before the house. They were not called upon the ho a toe circumstances, without a full explanation, that by that vote to express any opinion with respect to the tnee erzt usa could conscientiously agree to a vote that the general policy of the Governor-General in India, and be 7 oGeneral had done all be could to display the , would therefore decline to enter into any of the topics h "'nos of that unhappy country in suppressing the out teak. It which had been referred to by the right hon. baronet the 'e 'Ma l m o _ :was difficult to arrive at a fair opinion on the member for Droitwit eh and the right hon. member for es without e. reference to dates. The house would Bucks with respect to the annexation of Oude, and various Occurred't t that on the 10th of May the massacre at Meerut other matters. a e i o_h the the 11th Delhi was captured by the rebels ; Sir J. PAKINGTON explained that ho had not made loy al 4 _,: 11 19th the revolt at Lucknow. On the 21st a any allusion of the sort. !.4. ir te u_kn e te . tion went up to Lord Canning and offered Mr. DISRAELI said that he had only referred to the ttop e aa rv h, a ase volunteers to defend Calcutta, that the conduct which had been pursued since the breaking out of but th r ;"_ -.l la r t k despatched to the disturbed districts, the mutiny in connection with Oude. rd c °pre no t only met with a decided refusal from Mr. S. HERBERT accepted the explanation, and found rebu ke afnorninteb . ut the refusal was accompanied with a in the conduct of Lord Canning additional cause of appro thro • _ . imputation it was alleged they were b a tiou that he had not entered upon such matters while the On ttleefotoliut_,ag_ainet the loyalty of the Bengal army. groa t and absorbing obje of attention was that of con -91 aftY another offer was made from, he bo. quoriug 4;4 a milky n on mutipT. Ho Ccdltellkd that the claim to the thanks of the House of Commons for Lord Canning rested upon his much maligned proclamation and the admirable manner in which the arrangements had been ma-le for conveying the army from Calcutta to the disturbed and revolted districts. (Hear, hear.) From the terminus of the railway, a distance of 400 miles, the army bad been/ conveyed with great rapidity, and with every consideration for the health, comfort, and convenience of the troops. These matters appeared very slight when com pleted, but they involved great difficulties in the details necessary for carrying them into effect. All these details had been carried out with the most complete success, and for thin the thanks of the House of Commons were fully due to Lord Canning. He had heard the stories against Lord Canning as others had done, but day by day they melted away like snow in the sun, and it was found that they had not the slightest foundation. For the future, any story which was dated from Calcutta would put him at once upon his guard in receiving it. He gave his sup port to the motion of the Government without qualifica tion and without reserve. (Rear, hear.) Sir C. NAPIEC suggested that the name of Sir W. Peel should have been introduced into the vote of thanks. He was a most gallant and useful man, and had shownhimself of great value in India, as he had done before in the Cri mea and in Syria. Mr. WILLOUGHBY supported the motion of the Go vernment, and paid a deserved compliment to the merit and courage of the army and navy, which had maintained the reputation of England before the world. With respect to Lord Canning, he thought that noble lord had acted with groat circumspection and commendable foresight. Sir DE LACY EVANS recommended the withdrawal of the amendment, on the ground that Lord Canning, hold ing as he did the office of Governor-General of India, and carrying on the most i ropertaet duties, it would be attended with the most serious consequences if his hands were weakened in any manner by the omission of his name from the resolution. (Hear.) With respect to the military part of the subject., he regretted to see that only three names of general officers were included in the resolution, in addition to the name of Sir Colin Campbell. Perhaps the noble lord might have been told that it was according to custom that it should be so. He wished, however, to know why such should be the case ? There had been a great many brigadier-generals, such as Hope Grant, Cham ; berlayne, and others, whohad performed brilliant services No doubt it was very gratifying that they should be alluded to in the noble lord's speech, but those references I would go into " Hansard," and not into the " General Orders," to be couveyed to the army in India. (Hear.) He contended that this was a complete departure from custom, leaving out the brigadier-generals. There were not less than 60 officers of the rank of brigadier-generals, who had received the thanks of the House of Commons, but there was not one mentioned on the present occa sion. (Hear, hear.) Then, again, reference had been made to the case of the gallant Sir William Peel. Surely, if there was a red-tape system for omitting officer. of that rank, such routine might have been very grace fully broken through on this occasion, (Hear, hear.) If the noble lord did not consent to enlarge the list of the names included in the resolution, he should feel it his duty to move the thanks of the house to officers of lower rank than those mentioned, whose brilliant and noble deeds had ren tend them worthy of honour and distinction, and the thanks of the British House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) Many gallant officers had died—fallen in the execution of their duty. It was true we could not now give them our thanks ; but it would be competent for the House of Com mons to record its gratitude to such men for their noble gallantry and valour. (Hear, hear.) So far as the mili tary aspect of the question was concerned, he was not dis posed to take a gloomy view of the present state of the affairs of India, for he considered that the neck of the mu tiny had been broken by the capture of India, and there was really no reason for supposing that the hole affair would not soon bo brought to a successful termination. (Hear, heart) Mr.' KINNAIRD felt that, in voting on this question, he was doing so perfectly in the dark, and thought it most important that the house should have some further infor mation on the subject of Lerd Canning's conduct. Lord C. HAMILTON deeply regretted that the Govern ment had taken the course which they ha l done on this occasion. The introduction of the name of Lord Canning had been most unfair, not only to the noble lord, butto the House of Commons itself. The eminence of the position of the noble lord had prevented the house from obtaining the knowledge requisite for the house to come to any decision upon his merits and claims to the vote of thanks now be fore the house. The Government hal in his opinion placed Lord Canning in a most unfair and improper position, as by this hasty step ho bad been prevented from enjoying that right which every Englishman had a claim to, viz., a full and fair trial before he was judged. Whatever course might be adopted, the result would be that Lord Canning would feel considerable annoyance at what had taken place. Considering the painful position in which Lord Canning had been placed, he thought it was most unfortu nate that the proceedings of to-night, whether in accord ance with the resolution of the noble lord, or in the spirit of the amendment of the right hon. member for Bucking. hamshire, could only be considered as most unsatisfactory to that noble lord. (hear.) While unwilling to form any hasty opinion respecting the conduct of Lord Canning, be deprecated at the same time the wholesale denunciation of the Europeans of Calcutta, which had been made by some hon. members in the course of the debate. (Hear.) Lord H. VANE asked what would have been said if upon the present occasion the name of Lord Canning had been omitted by the Government ? Would it not have been thought that the Government Waif had ceased to have confidence in that noble lord, and had passed a slur upon him by the omission of his name ? He was inclined to give a vote of thanks to Lord Canning because he had completely refitted all the calumnies which had been ut tered against him at Calcutta ; and as the greater part of those charges had been refuted, they might fairly suppose that the noble lord would be able to give a satisfactory ansalig to all other charges which might be brought against hiva.`"The house was at present only called opon to give a specific vote for a specific purpose, and he should cordially support the resolution. Mr. DRITMMOND denied that the motion would be an approval of all that Lord Canning had done in the course of the mutiny. Ono of the complaints against Lord Can ning was that he did not foresee the mutiny. Why, if he had done so, he would have been the most extraordinary man living. He (ilr. Drummond) was one of those who would never believe anything in the Indian press. The Indian press had been the real clause of this mutiny. The statements in the Indian press were generally simple false- hoods. Lord Canning had been the victim of anonymous slanders in the English press too. He (Mr. Drummond) would answer them, but not anonymously; for he in tended to name the writers at the fitting opportunity. The people might talk of the Hindoos, bat they had a Jugger naut of their own. Mr. HENLEY believed thst Lord Canning was one of those men who had the great courage to be just. The charges, which bad been made against Lord Canning were net based upon sufficient foundation to justify the withdrawal of the proposed vote, and he (Mr. Henley) hoped there would be no division upon it. Lord Canning had been placed in unparalleled difficulties, and he had dealt with them successfully. Whether any other man could have dealt with them better was not then the ques tion. The proposal was a vote of thanks, and that vote was deserved. Mr. VANSITTART must enter hisprotest against voting thanks to Lord Canning for energy of conduct. His con duct had been greatly condemned both in England and India, and therefore he (11r. Vansittart) could not vote for this resolution. It was an insult to the country to couple Lord Canning's name with Sir J. Lawrence. Colonel 'mom PSON said that if Lord Canning had had his way the present mutiny would never have taken place. He was one of those men who for two hundred and fifty years had made India an honour to the British Crown. Lord Canning had had to contend with a class of men called immigrants, who had carried the sentiments of the slave states of America. The Indian army had been in sulted. The Indian soldier enlisted upon the understand ing that his religion should be respected. How had it been respected ? Why, by filling the mouths of the soldiers with hog's-lard. Suppose th e Connaught Rangers were re quired to spit on the Host—what would be the conse quence ? He had merely risen to say that the conduct of the Governor-General had been most just all through these transactions. Mr. TOWNSEND hoped the right hon. gentleman would not press his amendment. Mr. DISRAELI said he would not do so if R was under stood that the vote was not to be taken as apprising of the policy of Lord Canning. Lord PALMERSTON said he did not so consider it. The amendment was then withdrawn and the resolution was agreed to. Sir F. SMITH thanked the noble lord for having so specially noticed the garrison of India. The defence of Lucknow was one of the most brilliant achievements in tge annals of warfare. There was :no instance of men defending a fortress with four breaches, and with an army outside of 20,000 men. LADY HAVELOCK'S ANNUITY. The report of the committee was brought up, and a bill founded thereon was orlered to be brought in. EAST INDIA LOAN BILL. Mr. V. SMITH proposed to move the second reading of this bill now, and postpone thb committee till next week. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY hoped the right hon. gentle man would lay before the house a statement of Indian finance. Mr. V. SMITH was understood to say he would do so. The bill was then read a second time. THE REFUGEE QUESTION. Lord PALMERSTON then rose and said--I rise, pure anent to notice, to move for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law relating to conspiracy to murder. From time to time circumstances arise which lead to the necassity, or at all events to the expediency of revising particular lave, and I think the house will concur with me in thinking that an event has recently happened which does render it expedient that this house and Parliament should revise the particular branch of our criminal law to which my notice relates. A conspiracy has been found to have been carried on, and partly in this country, for the purpose of committing al atrocious crime. That conspiracy has led to most disastrous consequences. Providentially, the particular consequence aimed at did not take place ; nevertheless, a great disaster occurred, and a sensation of indignation and disgust has been spread over the whole world. The naturalconsequ euce of that act has been that, as the parties oonoerned in that diabolical attempt issued from this country, foreign na• tions, ignorant of our laws and unacquainted with the spirit of our constitution, have thought there was an indiffer ence in this country to the commission of crimes of this atrocious nature, and that so far from entertaining those feelings with which human nature must regard such a project and such an act, but that on the contrary, the people of England were disposed to protect and favour attempts of this kind. An expectation prevails on the con tinent generally that the Parliament and Government of this country should take some stops to place it in the power of the Government on mere suspicion to remove aliens from this country. It is, I think, needless for me to say that it is not the intention of her Majesty's Government to pro. pose to Parliament any measure of that :kind. (Cheers.) We are as sensible, as every one else must be, that there may be cases in which men who entertain criminal pro jects may with advantage be removed from this c oun t ry ; but any law which would give the Government such a power would be so liable to abuse, would so infringe on the general principle by which the shores of the United Kingdom are open to the people of all nations who may be compelled from political or other causes to seek refuge there, and who, so long as they conduct themselves peace• ably, are entitled to remain --I say, a measure of that sort would be so liableto abuse that any p l p o o ve o r s n a ni mn en , t a w n o d u p ld a h ri e i s a i : . tate long bef ore it ma d e a ny such aunt would no do u bt b e disinclined to adopt (Hear.) Such a measure therefore, was out of the question. (Hear.) But her M a j es ty' s G over nment finding that an offence of a particular nature has been committed, viz., that they have reasons, strong reasons, to think that a conspiracy for the 0131Milleien of murder was partially concocted in Wm country, they were driven to the consideration of what should pass, farewell to the liberty of every one seeking a was the state of the law with reg ar d t o th a t particular refuge in this country. ( Hear, hear.) The people of this offence. In the first place, I wish to meet an objection country had established its character centuries ago. They which many persons entertain to this consideration of the had hitherto maintained it unsullied, and he deeply re law being taken up at all. It is said by many persons that gretted that it should be impugned by a bill of this kind great irritation b ee b een expresse d b y foreign na ti ons, an d a t th e di c t at i on of a foreign stat. He cordially supported that there is supposed to be on the part of foreign Govern- the amendment, and trusted that the bill would bo with mints an opinion founded on a mistaken assumption that drawn, for if any amendment should be considered neces- England is indifferent to such matters, and that this has sary, it could be much more conveniently made in the bills suggested tod objection by ootro allyth i s thebil I appeared Emperor o t o f caused, especially in France, the issuing of addresses from of the Solicitor-General. (Hear.) military bodier, which have bo u published in the Mold &lir, and which are cenidered to be offensive, and that in . be that t ß i ° t W ha Y d sailE be ß ensn consequence of this we should be prevented taking steps, which on other grounds we think that the character and the French. It was a now doctrine in civilised Europe that interest of this country require to be taken. I confess I 1 cue ally was not at liberty to suggest to another ally mat" cannot understand the argument on which such an objection 1 ters which, although immediately concerning the affairs of is founded. If it is a thing right in itself that we that ally, also immediately affected the government mak should snake an alteration in our law, because that • mg the suggestion. It was too much to say that the French law is defective and is capable of improvement, it is no , reason that we should abstain from doing that which in Government was not at liberty, in an amicable manner, on our legislation we think right be cause other na tions. in a a great emergency, to bring before the Government of E ng _ moment of passion, or perhaps of fear, have done what we , land matters affecting the security of the French Govern think wrong. lam glad to say that with regard to the went, and the security of the life of that person who, by particular addresses of the military bodies in question, to the votes of the French people, had been placed on the which objection has been taken on a recent occasion, I throne of that kingdom. That appeared to be all that the have this to observe, In the first place, if the people of French Government had doers. Thera were some phrases France are ignorant of the spirit of our constitution, and in the despatch of Count Walewski which might be misun unacquainted with the current course of our legislation, derstood by persons not perfectly cognisant of the niceties we also are ill-informed of the course taken in France with of the French language; but reading the whole' of that reference to the matter to which we have taken objection, ! despatch he could not conceive a more unobjectionable, in- It is only within a few days that I have been informed of ! offensive. and proper communication—(" Oh, oh," and the fact; but it has been stated to me that it is the prat- laughter)—to be made by one ally to another and a neigh ties for addresses to be oresented by military bodies to the boar. The question was whether, because certain French head of the government of France ou all occasions of colonelshad spoken in aninjudicious and objectitz ,ble man public moment, and that that practice has prevailed for ' ner, the house would refuse its assent to a bill which was the last 60 years. When events of public interest have in accordance with international law and with the criminal occurred, whether good or bad—whether congratulations law of this country. The house was not asked to interfere were to be offered or strong opinions expressed—it has not with what was sailed the right of asylum. It was not been considered inconsistent with military discipline inthe asked to alter any principle in our law, but only to alter French army that every regiment, or even detachment, a penalty, and make it adequate to the offence which it should present an address to the-head of the government. was intended to punish. The house was not asked to alter There is nothing, th ere f ore, i n the fact of addresses having any principle of the constitution. It was only asked to been received and published which implies any departure make the law more effectual to repress crimes against the from the ordinary practice in France. But there were in peace and the safety of other nations. Supposing the some of the addresses in question passages at which in this house should refuse to pass the bill, in what manner could country offence was taken, and at which, if it was fitting it more effectually give a colour to the unjust and absurd that we should examine very narrowly what passes in a imputations of the French colonels ? (Oh, oh, and laugh. foreign country, offence might justly be taken. Her Ma- ter.) Several cases had been brought forward by our ally jesty's government thought fit to inform the French go- in which the law had been found ineffectual for the pre verutnent of the unfortunate effect which these addresses vention of crime. (Oh, oh.) It had not prevented crime, had produced in this country, and I am happy to say that and therefore it had not been effectual to prevent it. That my noble friend, Lord Clarendon, has received a despatch was logic. (Laughter.) It appeared to him it would be from the Minister for Foreign Affairs in France, i n w hi c h utterly undignified not to do wh a t wa s r i g ht mere l y ba it is stated that Lord Cowl e y h av i ng comm unicated to the cause it might be fltinded on what somebody else had re- French government the bad impression which had been commended. It had been said that if the bill should reps, produced by that circumstance in this country, Count the belief would be entertained that it had been carried Wolewski has directed the French ambassador here under the menace of a foreign power. Now, foreign na to state that the practice referred to has long been esta• tions knew this country well enough to be aware that it blished in France, but that if, in a few addresses out of was not to be moved by the menace of foreign power— many hundreds, passages have been printed to which ob- that if anything was done it was done bosause it was just jection has been taken in England, the appearance of those and expedient; and to refuse that bill merely on account passages has arisen entirely from the inadvertence of those of what people might say would be undignified, unworthy who had in charge the publishing of those addresser—(oh of the Government of the country, unworthy of the house, oh, and cheers)—and he ha s b een or d ere d to say, on t h e and unworthy of the dignity of the B r iti s h na ti on . Hi s part of the Emperor of the French, that he regretted that hon. friend had descended to the arguneentum ad hominees such a circumstance should have occurred. (Loud cheers.) against the Emperor of the French. That was always a As far, then, as an objection t o an y rev i s i on of the law is b a d a rgument ; it ranked little hi g h e r th an a sc h oo lb oy ' s founded on these recent addressee, I think the objection ttc quoque. But it was an argument always disagreeable ought to be removed by the handsome manner in which to the power to whom it was addressed. His hon. friend they have been disclaimed. (Cheers.) I now come to the said Louis Napoleon went to Boulogne. That, however, proposition which I have to make. On examining the state was not a parallel case to the present. Louis Napoleon of the law, it appeared that the law of England treats was not a pretender ; he went to assert his right to the conspiracy to commit murder simply as a misdemeanour, throne of Franca ; he held hims e lf en titl e d t o th a t th rone subject to the punishment of impri sonment for a short under an organic law to the empire. (Laughter.) He was time ; that is, punishable on the same level and in the same not successful. (Loud laughter.) The Emperor Napoleon, I manner as any other kind of conspir ac y. I n another part when he went to Boulogne, went openly, in mid-day. He of the United Kingdom, namely, in Ireland, we fierl that risked his life, and his friends risked their lives. Had he the law is more severe ; for conspiracy to murder there is succeeded, he would have done a most heroic action. (Great made a capital offence. It appeared to us, that while on laughter.) What parallel was there between the case of the one hand the law in England was too slight, and the the Emperor and that of the recent attempt ? But lot the punishment not adequate to the deterring from crime, on house consider the bill on its merits, and ask what it the other hand the haw in Ireland, whi c h was passed at a sought to do. It was in accordance with international law former period, was more severe than was necessary for its and with English law. He would refer to a great authority purposes ; and that it would bo an improvement to make on the subject—Vattel. Tattel said in effect that one the low of the United Kingdom uniform, by reducing the conspiring against a foreign state in another country ought penalty in Ireland and increasing it in England. What we to suffer exemplary punishment. The law of England propose, therefore, is, that conspiracy to commit murder said the same. The house was not called upon to make shall be declared to be a felony, punishable by penal servi- any new law. No doubt any person who conspired in Bog tude according to the nature of the offence, and in the dis- laud was already punishable. (Cheers.) They were only cretion of the court which tries the offender, for any period going to deal with the question of punishment. (Hear, ranging from a period of not less than five years to a period hear.) Was it not absurd to think that while breaking which shall be for life. That is, that penal servitude for into a house was punishable by transportation an attempt life shall be the maximum and five years the minimum, to take the life of a foreign sovereign could only be met by (Laughter.) O r it ma y ho punishable by imprisonment fine or imprisonment. He certainly thought that the law with hard l a bour, f o r an y period not exceeding three years, required amendment in this particular. While en the sub- The law will apply to cons piracies carried on by persons in jest he could not but say that he thought that those who this country, w hether British subjects or foreigners, to had the control of the police did not act with that promp commit murder on any other persons, whether British sub- titude which they might do in matters of this kind. He jests or foreigners, and whether residing in this country or had been informed that in cases of conspiracy the London out of it. The law will he universal, and will apply to police were entirely at fault. He would remind the house all persons cons pi r ing, an d t o all persona with resp!ct to of the ease of Foschini. He had been told that that in whom the conspiracy is formed. Of course, if in this dividuel had been fixed upon to put certain other persons country such a conspiracy sueoseds, and the person con- out of the way. (Laughter.) Yet he had managed to spired against falls a victim to it, the conspirators will be evade the English police. And he had been told that the accessories before the fact, and liable to our law. With body recently found at Waterloo-bridge was that of a French respect to conspiracies against personsout of this kingdom, detective who had been seized, and killed, and cut up in we propose that a conspiracy to commit murder shall be this country. (Loud laughter.) In concluding, he could treated in the same way as if it was a conspiracy to mur- not but express the hope that the house would consent to der in the United Kingdom. The bill will be short one. passing this bill. It provides, in th e f irs t pl ace , " that if any person shall, Mr. FOX said that the hon. and learned gentleman who within the United Ki ng d o m o f Great Britain and Ireland, had just sat down had told the house a very long story of or in the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, or the incapacity of the English police, but he thought that Man, conspire a ga inst an y other person or persons, being it might be matched by a story of the incapacity of the within or without the sa id United Kingdom or the said French police. On the recent occasion that portion of the islands, to commit murder within or without the dorni- affair which took place in this country, and which is to be , nions of her Majesty, they shall be guilty of felony, and constituted a conspiracy, was perfectly open ; machines on conviction thereof shall be liable to p nel servitude for were manufactured in Birmingham, and Col. Dixon was ' life, or for five years or to imprisonment with hard labour made acq u a i n t e d w ith a new sort of missile. The whole 1 for three years." Then it provides that "every person thing was above-board until the projectiles went to Paris; who within the Unite 1 Kingdom, or within the islands of when they arrived there how did the French police act ? Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, and Man, shall incite (Hear, hear.) The atrocious attempt—for most atrooious or solicit any person within or without the said United it certainly was—which had just occurred might be called Kingdom or the said islands, either to commit murder on the occasion for this mandate from France ; but he thought any person or persons either within or without her Ma- it could not he called the cause. They had for a long time jesty's dominions, shall be liable, on conviction, to the heard of the murmuring at the right of asylum in this penalties above named." Thou it is provided, that "any country. These murmurs had been heard from Austria, persons charged with felony under the provisions of this Italy, France, and. Naples. There had been a continual act may be apprehended, punished, and otherwise dealt feeling . for putting down, if possible. Th ere f ore , h e nisi with in all respects in any county or place in which they this might be the occasion ; but it was not the cause of this may be found, in the same manner as in any other felony bill being required. • They must look further for that. charged or committed in that county or place ; and in pro- There were those who did not object to wade through treading): under this act for murder alleged to be committed slaughter to the throne, and it was only in the common in any foreign country, the amid murder shall be construed course of events that they should be hurled with slaughter to be a killing of any person, whether a subject of her Ma- from that throne. (Hear, hear.) He did not think jeaty or not, in the same manner as if the person so killed that they had any right to call upon their neigh had been murdered in the United Kingdom. (Hear, bours to keep watch and guard over their personal hear.) The fifth clause merely repeals the Irish act, safety. (Hear, hear.) Assassination was not natural That is therefore the bill which I wish - to propose. to this country; it did not grow here; assassins might I ask the house to increase the punishment for conspiraoy occasionally go out from England, but they had first come to murder in Great Britain and to diminish it in Ireland, into Segland. (Hear, hear.) They had come from those and to make one uniform law on this subject for the whole governments which made assassins. (Cheers.) If a man kingdom. I thi n k th at this will be an i m provement in the were treated with cruelty and harshness the spring of law of this country; and I think at the same time that it kindness would be dried up within him. A man is due to the character of this country, a groat crime who might otherwise be a good subject would become an having been attempted the arrangements for which were assassin. It was a very practicable operation. (Cheers partly made i n thi s country, that as fares we can go with - and laughter.) His objection to this bill was that it made out doing vi o l ence t o the principles of our constitution , an alteration in the law in compliance with external pros we should s h ow our feeling with regard to a late occur- sure. There might be refugees capable of plotting assassi ranee, by a revision of the particular law which relates to nation : he believed them to be but a small number. that particular offence. It may perhaps be said that as There were others who were looking out for better times, yet our former law has not been ineffectual--(hear, hear) and others again who seemed to have abandoned all hope —became no proceedings have been taken under it. But that such days would ever arrive. What would become can any man say, the object of our laws being to deter of those people if that bill passed 4 Their feelings of semi from the commission of offences, that by increasing the rity would be dist ur b e d. Th ey wou ld no t b e reac h e d b y penalty atta c h e d t o as offence you do not add to the de- this bill ; they wore not people to conspire ; but they terring motives against the offenc e ? Th er efore, although would no longer rece i ve h osp it a lit y i n th a t sense i n w hi c h it is possible th a t the grime in me in question is scarcely known this country ought to afford it to them. They would say, in this country, and our law as it stood lass not been ap- if this were done to oblige France to-day, what might not plied, it can hardly be said that we are not adding to the be done to oblige Austria to-morrow--(cheers) —and Naples security against the offense b dd• 0 to the punishment on the following day i (Cheers.) Once bsgun, there was which is intended to deter from a in— • • I c annot k • its COMMISSI OO . no knowing where it might stop. They might go on from but persuade myself that • • . increasing the punishment at the step to step until there was nothing to distinguish them discretion of the court to the penal servitude which I have , from other countries. And let the house look to the ex mentions b in the bill will have a wholesome effect, in ample this house would set to other nations. If England teaching those who may wish to make this country a place gave way, what could we expect Belgium to do? What where they can hatchand •o f disgraceful Switzerland What Sardinia! Why, the end of it would concoct crimes a character, that at all events they cannot do so without be that there would be no corner in Europe upon which a subjecting themselves to the liability to a severe punish- political exile could find rest. And, moreover, we should went. I now move for leave •- in bill for the pur- have lowered ourselves to the position of a secondary to bring a pose of amending the law to conspiracies. relating The question having been ut feeble states in the downw ar d p rogress o f i n f amy. (L ou d p Mr. KINGLAKE moved the , ol o • amendment :---e cheers.) "That this house whil.t Equi t f li' l. " ' g 'n with nation in its indignant abhorrence ami l the late atrocious ' been moved to the motion of the noble lord, but that it had attempt on the life of the Emperor, s o lid anxious on a pro-' been met by a downright denial to receive such a hill in per occasion to consider any defects which may be shown ( that house. Me hop e d th a t i n say i ng thi s h e m i g h t not b e to exist in our criminal law, th e amend m ent of which might l misunderstood—he objected to assassination from his very tend to defeat the repetition of such offences, deems it inex- heart. Our present law ha I been deemed sufficient for pedient to make a n y special enactment in compliance with many generations. It had b een th e l aw o f E ng l an d t h roug h the demand of Count Walewaki in his despatch of the a g reat va riety of circumstances affecting England itself, 20th of January, until further i n f or mation is before us, and affecting the continent of Europe. It was deemed and the communications between the two governments sufficient many years ago, when the present Emperor of subsequent to the date of that des etch." (Ch e ers.) The France was a refugee here; and he found no fault then people of this c ointry, as A mor al people, abhorred the with the law of England with reference to refugees. As invasion crime of assassination, whic h of they had before heard, Louis Napoleon planned a descent was in fact an the fair strife to which they were accustomed. (Laughter.) on the shores of France when France was as much our ally As a thoroughly practical Pe op l e, too, t h ey a bh o rred assail- as alas was at the pr esen t momen t ; h e no t on ly pl an ned sination, and treated it with a great deal of hearty con- that attempt, but committed with his own hands the crime tempt l and for this reason, that they were accustomed to of assassination. And long after the committal of that despise those who invariably failed in their attempts. crime he was received with open arms by England ; he (Laughter.) If the law officers of the Crown had told the Was protected ley England, and he found no fault with the house that the law required amendment, or if the noble law of England then. Well, he was not about to revile Lord had spoken as a scientific man, and not ass politician, the Emperor of the French. (Laughter and cheers.) He send i ng un d e r press ure from abroad, ho (Hr. Kinglake) hoped that in stating facto which none of the laughers should have been happy to give his attention to any sus- opposite could deny he was not descending for it would gestion for the improvement of the law in that direction. be a descent to him, or to any member of that house — But how stood the case? It was not unnatural that the that he was not descending to revile the Emperor of indignation of the French p eop l e should turn in some France. It was enough for him to know that he was the measure against this country, froth which the parties had chosen of the p eo p le o f Fra nce. H e b e lieved tha t t he wis gone. (" Oh," and " Hear.") The resu l t was a despatch dom of this co u ntry was best consulted by not in te rf er ing which had boon placed in the bands of hon. members, but with foreign states; and it was not for him to find fault to which the noble lord had made no allusion. In that with the Emperor of the French so long as the French despatch the government were call e d upon to alter the in- themselves tolerated him. But the next objection that ternal administration of this law, Now his objection to ho had to the bill was that it was not real. There was legislate on this occ asion was of the simplest description. an expressi v e word — " sham"—which might be well ap- He declined to alter the municipal law of England on plied to this bill. He did not mean to impugn the potentate. the suggestion of any f orei g n (Cheers.) Either moti ves of the noble lord, but he considered this bill a th e measure proposed by the able lord wa s a piece of law sham. If it went no further than was at present pro reform, or it was a political action suggested from abroad. posed it was unreal —it would not effect its purpose. If it was a piece of law reform, it ought to have been Those who had watched the criminal jurisprudence of this suggested by the law officers of the crown. But if it country knew well that it was nit by added severity that was a concession to the pressule Upon the noble lord he they could make conviction or detection of a crime more declined to concur in an " such g is o t ittio _ - (Hear, hear.) certain ; and sure he was, that unless they took on© very It did so happen that the votes Contained notice, of motion wide step further in the course of legislation, to please the law. OnEmperor of the French, by admitting French espionage for the revision of this very . Thursday last a no •the Solicitor-General ofinto this country, this law would be a dead letter. (Hear.) tics was given by his intention to l * n trod ace several bills , a mon g st wh ich was a bill f or cons It might deceive the Emperor of the French, and the noble solidating, improving, and amending the criminal law ; a premier himself might be deceived by it, but to all intents bill to consolidate and amend the statute law of England and purposes, unless they were prepared, which he trusted relating to offences against the person ; a n d a bil l to con- th e y never wou ld, t o sacr ifi ce on the altar of expediency England solidate the statu te law of and Irel an d re l a ti ng t o the great and gl or iou s p r i n ciples which had dietieguished accessories and abettors of indictable offen ces . If it were the English nation, this bill would be a dead letter. Ye not intended to mak e this legislation e xceptional , why not hoped there were those who with him would oppose it in that comprise it in the bil ls of the Solicitor-G eneral? But, pee• every s t age. (Ch eers. ) Did th e no ble lord suppose that be hap% that would scarc el y satisf y the e xigencies in which the this would be the last of the bills of this kind he monarchswou 1 noble lord was placed . (Lau g hter.) After quoting a con- called upon to introduce ? There might be other of the despatch, the hon, —the King of Naples, for instance , though he hardly siderable portion member said he the Rouse of . enough—but there might be did not think aright for e Commons to legislate would, for he was not strong in such terms. (a monarchs in Europe, as strong asLouis Napoleon, ear.) They had other . . He maintained on an appeal couched had • not been answered. He who might ask for alterations in our law. been told that the despatch proposed that theshould be foreign ans wer those ers ) He believed that . fidence in the abilitiesstandard of our law. (Cheers.) . and then. Ile had great con of Lord by the voice of Clarendon, but he believed it was not in the power of who opposed this bill would supportedbe and hon. gentlemen 'ty to write so good an answer to that de. the-country. (Hear.) Ho recollected, 'n human ingenuity probably reoelloet, certain the as that which would be involved in a simple vote of on both sides of the house might bout which the people of the house of Commie:, and therefore he trusted the house acts of a certain Home Secretary, s s a tin opinion—acts which would accede to the amendment. which he had proposed. England were not slow to ex express of illustrious exiles, and Mr. II ADFIELD, in seconding the amendment, expressed did compromise the right of l asylum b inded men to roll on the scaf his decided objection to the measure, the effect of which which caused heads of noble m and such was the reception would be to render two suspected persons talking together folds of down-trodden Italy , these that they were repealed. In another guilty of conspiracy, and subject them to a severe penalty. given to acts like boon a strong opinion expressed by a noble This was an invasion on the constitution of the country plaoo there had hich he hoped would tea ympathised with which he hal little expected from the present government. lord, an opinion_howb th sides of the house. A noble lord regarded It had been the pride of Englishmen that this country and adopted Y party ' to whom he (Mr. ,Gilpin) used lovers of liberty alla s the leader of a pa over tho world. true English words, and they had found au echo in afforded an asylum to the b But under this bill there would en _ eno safety for them. If thee* English mind, Not for the security of the sore they had enemies abroad, d the spy system was set in • every of Franco, or for all the sovereigns of Europe twenty • ht be watched and convicted of conspiracy reign . motion, they . reig Lord Chief Just' that times over, would I consent to violate in the slightest on mere suspicion. Theme had stated degree the sacred right of asylum for foreigners by which t law was in his opinion the presentalteration law our history has always been characterised. (Hear, hear.) was not necessary. every purpose, and that an bill of the And that speaker was Lord Derby. He would only read There was danger in the. noble lord. He was , one cheat extract more, an ortract from the speechof Lord sofit in the Highest degree , If It auspicious and ia" Hawkesbury in 1802 :—" Our Goverment neither have nor want any other protection than what the law of the country affords, and though they are ready and willing to give to every foreign government all the protection against offences of this nature which the principles of their laws and constitatiou will permit, they never can consent to remodel their laws or to change their constitution to gra tify the wishes of any foreign power." He thought that the only answer we should give to Count Walewski would be that while we heartily regretted the criminal attempt that bad been made, we rejoiced that it had not succeeded, but that it was wholly foreign to the custom of England to modify its laws for the purpose of pleasing any foreigo power. lie felt satisfied that to oppose this bill and to defeat it would best suit the reputation of the noble lord at the head of the Government; to oppose it was a duty they owed to the country, to the character of that house, and to the dignity of the Crown. Sir J. WALSH said there was an obvious distinction between the right of asylum and the abuse of that asylum for the concoction of crime, a distiuction which the hon. gentleman who spoke last appeared entirely to lose sight of. This right of asylum was dear to us, and no foreign power who had any knowledge of the spirit of the consti tution of England would ask us to forego it. There was nothing extraordinary iu our enforcing stricter penalties against those who abused our hospitality. The Emperor Napoleon was the truest and most faithful friend of the English alliance that had sateon the throne of France since 1815. Ant he was to be admired in his private capacity. When he lived in this city he mixed in the highest, and with ethers in an obscure position, and since he had ar rived at his present position be had never forgotten any who had rendered bite a service, or even been courteous to him in his adversity. He was a faithful ally during the war with Russia, which was most unpopular in France. A monarch who had thus been faithful to his engagements, who had escaped a violent death, when the whole country was excited, had a right to come to his friend and ask for protection. He did not ask them to give up the right of asylum, but he asked for protection, leaving to us to devise the means. He as with him, and he hoped that this bill would bie effective for its purpose. Lord ELCHO said he felt himself in a difficult position. He was unwilling to vote either for the bill or the amend ment. The question was not one of papers. The hon. member objected to the bill because we had been asked to legislate by the French Government. If there was a suffi cient cause for legislation he did not think that the simple fact of the French Government asking it was a sufficient ground for their not doing it. And with regard to the in trotuction of other papers, he could not see that other papers would elucidate the matter. But there were two other points. One was the state of the law, and the other was as to the time at which the Government proposed to make this change. He was no lawyer, and it would be presumption in him to state what was the law; but the greatest doubt prevailed in the minds of the most eminent legal men as to the state of the law. They had the Government bringing iu a bill, no doubt on the advice of their law advisers. On the other band, Lord Campbell and Lord Brougham expressed their opinion that the law as it at present stood was sufficient. Still further they had Count Persigny, in that well-known speech at - the Mansion-house, stating that the law was considered by some French lawyers to be suffi cient, and by others to be insufficient. Therefore, it ap peared to him that they ought, before they legislated, to be satisfied that the law was insufficient, and that it had been. proved to be so. The noble lord who introduced the mea sure did nut say the law was insufficient. He only said it had not been brought into operation. That did not prove that the law was insufficient, and it appeared to him that they should be acting too hastily, and without further in quiry they should pass the measure proposed. He came now to the question of time, and it appeared to him that that was importance. What was the exact time chosen to ' bring forward this question? Why, on the very first day of the session immediately after they had heard of the speech of Count de Morey on the very first night of session the noble lord at the head of the Government came down to the house and gave notice of thin measure. That notice, too, was given concurrently with the threats in the MOniteur. Taken per se, there was, perhaps, nothing ex traordinary in these addressee, as it was the custom of the French army to make such addresses on such occasions ; but their publication in the Aluniteur invested them with groat importance. They must have been sent by the com manding officer of the district to the French War-office, and afterwards communicated by the War-office to the Minister; and he had seen it stated in a newspaper that an officer who had signed one of the most violent of them had since received the decoration of the legion of honour. (Hear, hear.) If they legislated at such a moment as the present, when the public opinion of Europe was directed to this subject by the addresses in the illoniteur, and by the despatches, there would be an universe' iespression that they had legislated hastily and under compulsion. (Haar, bear.) It was al very well to talk about public opinion in France, buil there was a strong public opinion in England as well, and wherever they went they heard men saying that they ought to be very careful how they touched the question of the right of asylum. He thought the most reasonable course would have been to pass a resolution to this effect, that the house abhorred and detested the crime to be at tempted to be committed against the persordof the Empe ror; that whilst it wail prepared to maintain the right of asylum inviolate, it was aleoprepared to amend the laW if it were insufficient ; and that inasmuch as some lawyers declared that the law was, others that it was not, suffi cient, a commission should be appointed to inquire into the subject, and report as soon as practicable. Mr. ROEBUCK—Sir, although I am very much in. dined to move the adjournment of the debate, yet, as it is desirable that the matter should be brought to a conclu sion as soon as possible, I will throw myself on the indul gence of the house, and, even at this late hour, state my opinions on this very important question. It ai,pears to 'lee that we have before us two questions—first, does the law require any alteration ; secondly, is this the right time and mode for making it. Now, I will confine myself to tho-e two questions. And, first, I would ask, does the law require any alteration? But before I address myself to that question, I %Aid ask the house to consider with me the real position of our country at the present time. The whole of Europe, with the insignificant,exceptions of Belgium and Sardinia, is, at the present time, au , ject to despotism. (Hear.) The two islands of Great Britain and Ireland are the only spots in Europe in which freedom of language and freedom of action still exist. We are an oasis in the desert. That desert has grown from day to day and from hour to hour, within my recollection. Despo tism has been daily narrowing the sphere of liberty in Europe, and we are now in the proud position—though I will say that it is for the human race a lamentable one— we are in the proud position of being the sole depositari& s of liberty in Europe. (Hear, hear.) If England were stricken down to-morrow, do you think Belgium and Sar dinia would exist for a day ? (Hear, hear.) Well, then, Sir, I say that, for the sake of mankind, it becomes us duly to consider what wo are asked to do, lest we should do anything to circumscribe the liberty of England. This country is at present the asylum of all oppressed people— not, as has been said, that people of every description may come to England, for England has entered into treaties to give up criminals ; but we do not give up political crimi nals ' • that is the great distinction. Such, then, sir, is our position; such is the position of Europe ; and it is at this time that we are called upon to alter the law of England. It has been our boast for ages that we have given an asy lum, a safe asylum, to every political offender; and mark the words, " political offender." (Hear, hear.) What, then, sir, is the present state of the law ? It is this, that conspiracy is a crime. Conspiring to do an illegal ast, or conspiring to do a legal act in an illegal manner, is a crime according to the law of England. There is only one case in which the crime of conspiracy is erected by the law of England into a capital offence, and that is the case of high treason. Conspiring to kill the sovereign is the crime of high treason. The crime does not consist in killing the sovereign, but in conspiring to kill the sovereign. As has been stated already in another place, it is well known to every lawyer that in the case of those who, in the days of Charles the Second, were c tiled " the regicides," and who were indicted for bringing King Charles the First to the block, the indictment was for conspiring to kill the king, and the cutting off his head was laid as an overt act. That is the sole case in which conspiracy has been erected into a capital offence by the law of England. Our law of conspiracy is this—that whateverlcrime men conspire to commit, the mere conspiring is a mere misdemeanour, punishable with fine and imprisonment. Now, sir, let me be understood. Two men come together, and they con spire together to kill A. B. If one of them only killed A. 8., then the one who conspired and did not kill hi m may be indicted as an accessory before the fact; but if thee have only conspired, the conspiracy is a miseemeanour punishable by fine and imprisonment. Such is the law. Now, such being the law, what has occurred to induce us to alter it? For a long period we have gone on from time to time ameliorating, that is rendering less cruel the law of England. We have learnt by experience, that in order to make a law efficient, you must make discovery certain, and the infliction of punishment certain; and Nye have found that when punishments are severe, there is great difficulty first in discovering crime, and nett in bringing men to justice. I will take the case of forgery. The punishment of that offence has in my time undergone a complete change. I recollect hearing when I was a youth of many persons who were at that time executed for the crime of forgery. At length it became almost impossible, not merely to find out forgery, but to convict a forger. We then went back to the very origin of the disease, and we ameliorated the law ; we rendered the punishment less severe, and thereby increased the efficiency of the law, making the crime more certain of detection. and there fore the punishment more certain of being inflicted. Now, Sir, the noble lord (Lord Palmerston) asks us to pur sue a contrary course. He says " there is a crime which, with a mild punishment, we have been usable to find out," for that is the real state of things — and, therefore, I ask you to increase the punishment.--I ask is that right? A great crime has been perpetrated . What was done in England? I will suppose th ot certain people conspired together in England t tat io h lcll th e Emperor of the French, We have no evidence of No man n yet. has (Hoar, hear.) Nude whatever. (Hear, hear.) been tried yet ; there is nothing before the in world ne e w xe sp ept e t rs. he vague statements which have appearedthe newspapers. We know that a crime has been committed, but we know nothing certain as to the persons who committed it; we know not where they concocted the crime; we . know not w hence they obtained the means of perpetrating . But I will take the statements in the newspapers I will suppos e that the crime was concocted in England. Then what w as the overt act? I will su pp ose that it was going down to Birmingham, an d getting made there certain grenades or pro jectiles. The man who made them received the order openly, and when he went to Enfield he spoke of them in such a manner as to show that he knew nothing about the pitipeSo t o which they wore to be applied. A s soon as the attempt made at Paris became known here, his attenti n was called to the circumstances, and it was suggested to him that he had made the projectiles which were throw' underthe ne E : - ee ores carriage. Now, air, was th ere anything there which an increased severity of punishment could have rought to light t Supposing that under the present la w, any man who conspired t o kill th e sovereigu of France would have been guilty of felony, would that have rendered the di cevery of the crime one w hi t more easy ? (Hear, e. If you tell me th a t th e severity of the punishment hweoaurid) have induced those persons not to commit the crime, I ask you to go with me acr iss the water. There the crime was carried to its consummation ; there the crime was punishable with death, and though the punishment of death stared them in the face, these men committed the crime. (Hear, hear.) According to the reasoning of the noble lord (Lord Palmerston) the crime not leaving been prevented by the fear of death, the punishment of torture ought to be added to the exist ing punishment. I say thelaw as it present stands in no way prevents discovery, andthe law as it is proposed to be altered would in no way facilitate discovery. Discovery is the only thing that is wanted. The Emperor of the French points to that in the despatch that has been laid upon the table. He asks that you should alter your law of police, in other words, that you should introduce the French police. I ask what the French police did on this occasion Why, im the very face j of that organised body, who are banded together to keep down liberty and to keep it under the heel of the despot, in the very face of a body thus trained, thus armed, thus ac coutred in every possible way for the purpose of keeping down a nation, these things were prepared, and thrown near the Emperor, to the great d anger of his life. All this, I say, was clone in spite of his terrific police. Arid then, when his police fails, he turns upon u s an d says, " Oh , b ut E gland is,a den of assassins, for she has sheltered these men, and) ou ought to altar your police law." (Hear) And why de I say that the Emperor of the French calls Ragland " a den of as sassins ?" Because that expression has found its way into the elbititettr. It would have not fervid its evay there bat for the permission of Luis Napoleon. (Hear, hear.) He is answerable for everyth ug there said, and I fix up on hi m th e responsibility c f insulting my country. (Hear, hear.) That he t o he of allrnen upon earth—should dare to insult England —he who has partaken of our hospitality, w h o h as bees shel tered by our fostering power. AS . hat, aft er a ll this, has he done ? .01i, he sets a bright example to England There was a man who conspired to kill England's great hero, the lato Duke of Weliington—(bear)—there was another man, who was great hut fallen in his greatness —and no one act of his life was I think, so thoroughly inconsistent with that greatness as his leaving a legacy to the man who had attempted - te assassivate the Doke of Wellington. (Hear, hear,) Tho only explanation of, the only excuse for, that deed, was that the great Napoleon's mind was shaken to the foundation. I do not believe that lie would in his ri lit senses have perpe. trated so infamous an act. But the man who has received the protection of England, who has come he e after attempt. ing crime after crime against his native hind; that man when he had climbed to the height of power at which he has now arrival, what did he do but pay to this intending assassin the wages of his intended dirty action. (' No," from Mr. Bowyer.) Oh, I have heard the lion, and learned gentleman defend the King of Naples, (Great laughter.) This man (Cantillon) is now living in Paris, and it was publicly and os tentatiously anneuneeti that the present Emperor of the Frengh had paid him the legacy which was left him by the great Napoleon for attempting to cut off the Duke of Wel lington. (Hear, hear.) When these panegyrics are thus profusely scattered in the English House of Commons over the head of Louis Napoleon, I hope the house will recollect this fact. (Hear, hoar.) But, sir, if it were necessary that this alteration should be made in the law, I now come to ask if this is the right time ? (Hear, hear ) And now, sir, I will address myself to the noble lord ; and I will ask him how i is that he is in his present position. (Laughter.) He is there because the people of England believed him to bo the enemy of despotism in Europe. (Hear, hear, and Oh.) Yes, that is the reason the noble lord is there, I recollect saying before the noble lord came into office that ho alone might constitute a ministry—that with a row of cyphers by his side lie might be the prime minister, So popular was ho with the peopl sof England that I said he might go into the streets and select whom he liked for colleagues ; and in order io prove the truth of wl.at I stated the noble lord has pretty well acted upo it. (Loud laughter and cheers.) But such, sir, was the character of the noble lord. The people believed that he was a thorough English minister, and that the des pots of Europe trembled before him. It was thought that the dignity, the honour, and the name were safe in his keep ing ; but how has the noble lord fulfilled the expectation of his country ? (Cheers.) Why, an offence has been com mitted in Franco, for which the French police alone are responsible, and the Emperor of the French turns round and insults the people of England —nay more, be not only in sults them, but by his satellites he threatens them. (Hear,) The noble lord tells us to-night that he has got a despatch which says that the Emperor entirely disclaims the publica tion of those letters. (Hear.) I should like to know the date of that despatch. (Hear.) I should like to know if it has not arrive l since last Friday (Hear.) I should like to know if it has not arrived in consequence of a certain state. moot made in the Count de Persigney's car ; and if, in fact, the noble lord has not told the Emperor that there ie rising a feeling in the people of England that he has insulted them, and that they resent the indignity which he has cast upon them ? (Cheers.) We are told that the Emperor isaccustomed to receive letters like these to which I am referring; that he has gone through many occasions like the present. (A laugh.) I never said anything against the French army addressing to him any letters they liked, but there is nothing said about their publishing them on those former occasions in the Moniteur. (Hear.) How came those letters there They came there by the order of the French Emperor. (Hear.) Why, in a country which no man dares to say that his soul is his own, do you mean to tell me that any minister woud dare to publish anything but what the Emperor liked / Do you think that] the Count de Morny or the Count do rer signy would do anything offensive to the Emperor? Not a bit of it. They receive their inspiration from the Tuileries. The great god on those occasions is Louis Napoleon ; and it is he, speaking through his minister, who has iusulted the people of England, (Cheers.) Ic asks that our laws may be altered so as to ennish those who sent the assassins over, What does he mean by that 1 Does he mean to say that the people of England send anybody to assassinate people anywhere ? Do we not know that Mr. Fox told the first Napoleon thatthere was a conspiracy against his life ; and do you think that we are different from our ancestors? God knows that we are degenerating fast —(laughter)—but I do not think we have yet sunk so low that we would send anybody to assassinate either an enemy or a so-called ally. (Hear, hear.) The people of England are a brave people. They put down one Napoleon, and they aro not afraid of another. (Cheers.) We are told that Louis Napoleon is our ally. Is it the business of ono ally to trainee another I Does it show a friendly spirit to charge an ally ith an atrocious act like that of which we have been accused? for I distinetlyreiterate that Louis Napoleon is alone answer.ble for these insults upon the people of England, (Hear) I say that this is not the time when the House of Commons ought to consent to alter the law, even supposing for the moment that the a toration was a good one, which I deny. There have been times in our history when a noble re sistance has been made to formidable foreign foes ; and if the shales of those who have passed away still retain any particle of human feeling, how must the shades of those wh) resisted Philip 11., Louis XIV., and the first Napoleon look down upon a House of Commons employed at the dictation of a Punch monarch in altering our laws, (Cheers.) If wo submit to such an indignity, God knows how we shall be degraded. I say that for the people of England to alter their laws in consequence of a foreign threat is a humiliation not only to us but to mankind at large ; and because I regard this bill as a humiliation and a degradation, I oppose it on its first intro duction. I say that as freemen, and as the protectors of the oppressed in Europe, we ought at once to throw it out with the ignominy it deserves. (Loud cheers,) Mr. W ARREN was understood to move the adjournment of the debate. (Cries of "Divide," and " Adjourn.") Lord PALMERSTON— I had hoped that we might have coma to a decision upon this question to-night ; but if there aro other gentlemen who wish to speak—and the subject is no doubt one upon which many may desire to express their opinions —in that case I should not object to the adjournment of the debate. (Hear, hear.) Tho debate was accordingly adjourned till this day. THE BANK COMMITTEE. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in moving to nominate the committee, gave an explanation of the reasons which had caused him to alter the list of names from what it originally stood. In consequence of the noise occasioned by members leaving the house the details were net heard, but the right hon. gentleman said that the alteration had been made in order that there might be more commercial men upon the committee. Mr. CAY LEY was understood to deprecate the exclusion of the gentlemen for whose names others had been substitute& Mr. GREER opposed the nomination of the committee at that period of the evening, and said that, if necessary, he would move the adjournment of the house. Mr. BENTINCK protested against the exclusion of county members from committees of this description. Mr. TITE said he had been placed on the committee last year as represents ive of a large joint-stock bank ; if he was now left off some person connected with tho same interest ought to be placed on it. Mr. E, BALL compla'ned that there was not a sufficient representation of the agricultural interest; lie was surprised to find his own name omitted, but he was informed that it was not considered that he took much interest in subject. He left the matter in the hands of the house, but he thought he had not be n treated with courtesy. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER disclaimed any personal feeling in the matter ; he had proposed the name at the hou. member for Liverpool, as it was considered desirable to have some gentleman connected with commerce. Mr. CAIItD said tho inquiries of the committee were to be extended to the Irish anl Scotch banks, and their interest ought t repr sented on it. Lord J. MANNERS thought no case had bean made out for the emission of either of the hon. members. Mr. GREER moved that tho debate be adjourned. Mr. PRICE said his name had been proposed as a repro., sentative of the banks of issue. He had no wish to displao• any nr:. hon. member, but he thought some mbers eouneetei with these banks ought to be Placed on the committee. After some further discussion, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had no objection to strike out the names of Mr. Price and Mr. Hors fall, and replace: Mr. Tite and Mr. E. Ball ; that would make the constitution of the committee the samoas last year. The motion for the adjournment was then negatived, and the reso'ution that the committee do consist of 25 members agreed to. The follow:ng members wore hen nominated on the com. mitteo :—The Chancellor of : s he Exchequer, Mr. Disraeli, sir James Graham, Mr. Spooner, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. George A. Hamilton, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cayley, Sir Francis Raring, Mr Vance, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Blackbnrn, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Weguelin ' Mr. Harkey, Mr. Hope Johnstone, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Puller, the Earl of Gifford, Mr. Fergus, Mr. John L. Ricardo Mr. M. Tucker Smith, and Mr. Glyn. • MARKETS AND FAIRS (IRELAND) AND CLERKS OF PETTY SEiSIONS (IRELAND). Mr. H. HERBERT obtained leave to bring in bi lo relating to the above oubjeetv. COMMITTEE ON THE TRANSPORT OF TROOPS TO Sir DE L. EVANS having moved the app.intment at Orli committee, S r J. PAKINGTON moved that the committee should be limited to nine in number. The amendment was negatived 'without a division, and the forowing members were nominated on the icouatuittee De La c y Evans, Viscount Cocicrich, Lord Stanley, Sir John Pakington, Mr. Horzman, Sir E lward Crlebrooke, Sir James Elphinetone, Mr. Alder'py, Sir Charles Napier, Mr. (Morns, Mr. J. Vivian g , Mr. B ing, Mr. Willoughby, Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Seymour. Power to send for persons, papers, anti records. Five to be the quorum. keel DE Nrs ON RAILWAYS. Mr. BENTINCK nominated the select committee as fel* lows:—Mr. Bentinck, Mr. Lowe Mr. Cross:ey, Mr. William Hodgson, Mr. Bl ac kb urn, Lord' Adolphus Vane Tempest, Mr. Ilume, Mr. Fran, i s S cott, Mr. Kendall, Mr. Goo. Clive. and Mr. Jackson. Power to send for persons, papers, and records. Three to be the quorum. Agreed to. GAOLS AND HOUSES OF CORRECTION. M the 4 r. t h Br o. Y I E NT R ., obtain tained v 64, for le c a on e s t o e piing in in a and to endin a g me t a k l laws relating to gaols and houses of correction. The house adjourned at ten minutes a s ter one o'clock. REFORM CONFERENCE.—A oonference of delegates fey the metropolitan districts and provinces —bat how ap• p ,inted we know not—was opened yesterday at St. Martin's Hall, to consider the terms of union betweea the working classes (i. e., a body of Chartists who de signate themselves as snob) and the middle classes wttk regard to the terms to be accepted in the forthcoming Reform Bill was inaugurated at St. Martin's Hall yes. terday, when Mr. Lucroft was elected chairman for the preliminary business, Mr. Alderman Livesay, Rockdale, treasurer, and Mr. Bubbs, Bermondsey, treasurer, n finance committee of five being also appointed. Al,' some minor regulations as to the length of time to be . lowed to s two peakers, the meeting adjoureveaclfZi o'clock, when a discussion took place of reform, such as universal perty qualification for members, _ ofthe deliberations of th • known a t A general meeting auffral .4 sad 1 t i w n o t ri li f 1 4 :e t c u o se n l f e e s r s en t e o e re a p r o a rt t , o as be tt a r d e e sut to whom 'hedoufty of confirming or non the conference will be on Thursday ; --sconfirming the proceeding s