The Sun. — London, England, 1854-02-11 00:00:00

Id of 150 rail' hiral Brag., posed of tha agates :--Th e imiral Brest, ring the fiat the Hercule, Pomona and to have Or days, in now )ersons hail Their losses me, as m►ght , ed with the ) have bees ial or inder )ntent in p 0 r must, 001 tssia will be iera expires• al M1:491R0 is his worst preparation s ieveratice. will consist • The Env ►ersonally to nand of the 'elissier and • The EDP ner of these not only of he organise rkation and Duchess of f next week• s Napoleon hppe as Ills urkey. II and imale' lnir toryski. reached ul am that till all political siness trans• 900. for the per Cents. res, 1,0671 , ; Northern, ; Lyons to of France, Oc. ; Great hares of the announces Genoa was Le names of at the bap 'ger, Maris ed the new 'psi of the nurse from he princess the Queen )0 piastres e is also to eals. The other pre amount of says that .elona. A 14 persons tsian news the Walla by Prince- 10 years of ver profes- Is, or chefs ta), to the cattle be. ►r the same ind on the 20 Russian DRNING. ington ar• 3remen. ult. The ;ed in the I at as to Dr not. destroyed x the 26th is for the ions were gular but sold on 4- Rye bove the unsettled. •rn ad sales of rth, 2,000 letnanded re—flour, shel. In ons brisk 58 of New estimated m Aspin• ed. of the ate. and ke United e arrival d States, January. hat there 6, in con tes. The i.RLIA. by the rdera : thend— ;ies (sta. ies, Bid on•Tyne Railway stle and tail way ay were —Ennis Land— Tement toads— Corpo. borough !alth. iaranee ith the yearly :eive a ine for of in. raffiC. guars refore per rree to upon , unties ;. The d it is ionths ion to ;hton, ) and Mn at ihr. 27i 22 25 25 25 18 20 St. 10 St. 10 St. 50 St. 16 16 20 20 10 10 20 St. St. St. St. 10 26i 20 20 St. 10 Bt. 25 20 20 50 20 CE. SHARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY•) BRITISH RAILWAYS. RAILwAis. Closing Prices yesterday. Business done this day. Aberdeen Ambg. Nottng. Bost and Eastn. Junct Belfast & Ballymena Birming. Wolverh. & Stour Valley • • • Birkenhd. Lancsh. & Cheshire Janet Do. Chesh. & Birk., £5O and £25 Cons. Do., £2O Blyth &Tyne original £25 (issd. at £45) Bristol and Exeter Ca1ed0nian.......... Chester & Holyhead. l Cork and Bandon Cork, Black, & Pass. Cornwall Crieff Junction Dublin&BelfastJunc Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junetiou 20 -20 i 5 - 5i 8 - 9 12 —lO disl 16 - 6i - 94 - 52t - 13i - 44 - 7f - Do. New East Anglian . __, 4 - Do. , (£lB E & II)... Eastern Counties..... Eastern Union, A 13k -- 38 - 27 - Stock Do., B. Stock Do., New A East Lancashire Edinburgh & Glasgow Edinb. and Peebles Edin. Prth . & Dundee Forth & Clyde June. Great &S. Western Great Northern Stk. Do., A. Stock Do., B. Stock Gt. Sth. &West. (Ire. ) Great Western Irish South-Eastern Lancaster & Carlisle Do., Thirds Do. New Thirds Lancash. andYorksh Do., Fifths D 3., Wst. Riding Un Leeds Northern 64 - 61 - Liv.Crsby.StSouthpt London & Blackwell Lond. Tilb. &Sthend. Lond. Bright & S.Cst. Lond. and N. Westn. Do. Fifths Do.lol. Sh. ,M&B 0 Do. Eighths London and S. Westn Do., .£5O Do., .£4O Lnndrry& Coleraine Lndndrry. & Ennisk. Nfauch.Shef.S; Lincln Do., Man. & Lin. Un Midland Do. Birmng. & Derby Midi& G. West. (Ire.) Do. Half Shares Newcastle & Carlisle. Newmarket Do., Bury Extension. Nwpt.Aberg. & Hrfd. Newry & Enniskillen Newry Warrenpoint and Rostrovor Norfolk Northn. Counties Un North British North Devon, No. 1 Do., No. 2 Do., A Deferred A Do., A B Guaranteed North London .. IDo. New £lO N. &S.Virstrn. ,Hamp. stead, and City Jn North Staffordshire North Western N. & S. Westrn. June, Nuneaton, Hinckley and Leicester Oxford, Worcester, & Wolverhampton Portsmouth Scottish Central., Scottish Midland Shrewsbury & Bi i mg Do. L. & N. Western Guaranteed St obis_ Shrewsby. & H erefd Shrewsby. & Chester (N. W. Min ; Do. Halves,l Do. Oswestry Shropshire Union Do. A, B, C,St D,fully paid up at per cent South Devon South Eastern South Wales S. Yrksh. & MY. Dun Do Staines, Wok &Wok Stockton & Darling. Stockton & Hartlepl Taff Vale Do. £lO shares Do. Pref., No. 1 Thames Haven Dock and Railway Vale of Neath Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford&Limeriek West Cornwall West End of London) and Crystal Palace West London Wimbledn & Croydon York NewctL&Berw. Do. Extensions Do. G.N.E. Purchase York & N. Midland all 51s. 100 20 130 100 -49 i 68 11/ 12k 481 i 48i - PREFERENCE SHARES. St. 100 Aberdeen . ••• St. 100 Do. No. 2,7 p. c. 25 30 Blyth and Tyne 10 per C. pref. (issd. at 500 ... •., St. 100 Brie. & Ex. 4p. c. St. ... ... ~.,2 0 5 Do. 4p. c. Shares St. 100 Caledonian £lO 99 101 15 all Chester & Holyhead Guar. 51 per cent ... ...xd 161 Cork &Bandons,ip.c ... ... all Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction 34 all EastAnglian (£3los) 6 per cent 3l 3 5 all Do. (£5) 7 per cent 4 4 74 2 Do. (£7 17s) 7P. c i i P 63 all Eastern Counties Ex tension, sp. c. No.l 1 — 11 P 6i all Do. No. 2 1 lip pm 10 all Do. New 6p. c. St. 131 —l4 134 20 all Eastern Union, Seri'. Guar. 6 per cent 5 all Do. 61., 10 per cent. ... - ... 10 all Do. 10/. Debentr.Sh- ... ... St. 100 East Lancash. 6p. cts. ... ... 6 all East and West York shire Junc. Pref ..., ,„ 5 all EdinbPrth.&Dundee 51 per cent. St. 100 Glasgow & S.Western Guar. 5 per cent St. 100 Great Northn. sp. c ll9 121 St. 100 Do. sp. c. Redeem., at 10 p. c. prem lO9 111 1101 10 10 Do. 41 p. c. Scrip 1 1 p 10 6 Gt. N. of Scot. Ist Pre ... ... 6i all Gt,Southn.&Westm. I (Ireland) Eighths) 8 -- 81 20 4 Do. 4 per c. Pref. Sh. ... ... 50 6 Gt. Westn. (Barks & St. 100 linDao.thcovEx. 5 .red.l4. c) Ip.e , 9 6 6 4 798 98 St. 100 Do. con. red. 4p. c. 90 95 St. 100 Do. irred. 4p. c.. . 93 95 xd 16 6 Lan. &York. F. £ 2O id par xd St. 100 D G o na .6 ra p n . 20 13 Leeds N. 6p. c. No. 1 ... --- „ 124 9 Do. Quarters, 1848... .., ... St; 100 London and Brighton St. 00 Do. Pref., sp. c. St. . ... ... teeedSt.s)pek.e.....l3l 1 . 3 .. ' 50 all Do. Convertible, sp. 0., 1 852 . . ............ ... _ ... St. 100 Do. New Gua r . 6 p . c. .. • ~ Bt. 100 Lon.&N. W., COT. & Nuneaton ........... ... ..• 50 5 London &S. Western Con. Thirds... ... .... 2i 3 121 all Londonderry&,Coler. , ._ -... 1 Shares .............. ~1. 12/ 124 all Londy. &Ennis.iSh. 121 25 all Sian., Shef., & Lin., 1 Shares, No. 1. ... 6 7 10 all Do. New, £lO ....... 9 9t 6 .4 Do. X 6 par —i P 12 all 4lar3-pt .& Carl. 4 p.c ... —• • • 12 all Do. 41 per cent ••• ••• 1 12 104 Do . ... St. 100 - Mid. Consol.6 p.c.St ... ... St. 100 Do. Consol. Bristol & Birm. 6 per cent 137 139 164 5 Do. Pref. 41per cent 1.1 id 10 6 Norfolk Debenture .. ... ... St. 100 Do. Pref. 4p. c. Stock ... ..• St. 100 Do. 6p. c. Eat • ••• St. 100 Do. 51 per ct.pref ... ... St. 100 Do• Way. Val. sp. c. ... ... St. 100 North British 20 all North Staffordshire, ... St. 100 Oxford,Worcester,& Wolverh. £l5, 6 p. c 99 15 15 Do — 101 84 all Scot. Cent. ,New Pre . 1) -- ipm 8 all Shrews. &Birm.N.G. 4 id' 10 all Shrewsby. & Chest er (N°r * W • Miii ) , 8 P.c. 16 — 3 .6 i 10 , 10 Do. 5 per cent 9l 101 25 all South Devon l2 —l4 10 14 Do. fixed, 41 per cent id i 1.0.0 all S. Eastern (Reading P Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. 23 24 St. 100 Do. 41per cent. ~, „, ... ___. . . 20 all S.Yorksh.4p.c.Guar. 17 —l9 25 all Stockton and Dar lington, 4 per cont. ... ... 25 5 Po. do. do. .., _ ... 124 all. Stockton and Hartle- • pool, guar. sp. c. . till Ist July, 1856 ... .., 5 _ 3 Waterfd.&Kilk.6p.c. 11 1 d St. 100 York, Newcastle,and Berwick,4p.c. Pref. 94 97 17 5 Do 3l —4 /, 25 10 York&N.M.idlandll and O. Pura ld ii- 6 IPaid.l iloo 1 gi 89 69 - 131 - 101 - 83 93 - 96 13 -14 p 12 . 4 - 13§p 65 - 65, 7 - • ••• - 14 71 -- 8 Par -- 954 -- 964 103 f - 1031 par— I p par d 81 -- 82 9 -- 84 10 4 -- 9 4 d 22 - 23 62i - 63 36 -- 38 55 1 d 2 5 1 -- 47 - E$ 32 ... 8 16i - - 2; 52 - 54 - 5/- - sp l 8 - 84 34 - 36 90 92 54 - 56 55 - 60 55 60 2 —24 d 14 16 7 8 10 12 - 3ad 14 16 61 62 321 —32 i 2 d par 4 5 ii = ai 21 - 3 15 16i 51 - 6i 24 - 26 . . .. - 6 - 7 6ii ,. 8t .41 2l 2s 100 100 100 100 21 2s all 163 100 17 all all 14 96 534 16 53 2f 87i 7 68 100 824 3 91 651 k xd 103 i 4 814 2 62i i I I 38 7 pm 50 3 A d 334 10 lla i d MINES. 1 all Agua Fria - p 2 1 all Anglo Austrin. Gold 4d pax 10s. 11 Anglo Californian 10 2 Australasian l4 a d 20 6 Australian 1 all Australian Cordillera id 1 all Australian Freehold k ad 1 all Ave Maria s id 1 all Baden (Gd. Duchy of) 4 4p 50 all Blaenarvon Ir. & Coal 9 —ll 1 all isritish Austrin. Gold d 20 13.5 British Iron 35 244 Brazilianlmp.(issued at £5 pm 5 6 30 all Do. Cocaes & Cuiada 1 24 20 15 Do. St. John Del Rey 28 —3O 28 9 1 Carson's Creek 1 4 Clarendon Con. Min. Co. of Jamaica — ••• .44 46 40 all C o bre Copper 5 1 Colonial Gold par— 4 p ... 15 Copiapo St. all Copper Min. of Eng. 65 75 25 all Do. Pref. 74 p. cent. 4 6 p 5 all English and Austrin. Copper Smeltg. Co . 2 2i 20 all General 2 all Great Nugget Vein — •• • p 2 all Do. Registered 3 all Great Polgooth 1 all Liberty 3 all Linares 1 all Lond.&Californ.Gold Quartz Crush. Co. I. 1 all Ilariquita 10 9 Vlexican&S.Americu 64 64 1 all New Granada — e d 1 all New Linares Mining and Smelting Co ... ••• 1 all Nouveau Monde par— 4 p 20 all Pontgibaud Silver Lead Min. & Smelt. 17 19 5 1 Port Philip 6 d 1 all Quartz Rock P 50 all Rhymney Iron 15 15 Do. New 8 —lO 30 104 Santiago de Cüba 1 all =nuth Australian 10 7 Pin Croft 46 356 3 284 all United Mexican 1 all Waller— -1 all West Granada d 1 all West Mariposa ...... d 1 12s. Worthing Mining of Australia. ..... ••. 1 all Yuba - d MISCELLANEOUS 5 all Xubiu Coal and Irou 25 174 I.ustralian Agrieult. 41 43rd x d 20 14 kustralsn•Pcifie.Diail 10 8 Australn. Royal Mail 10 24 Berlin Water Works ... 50 384 Brit. American Land 70 75 5 1 Brit. & Coln. b'meltg. and Reduction Co . 100 324 Canada 75 80 5 5 Crystal Palace 4 —l4 p 5 4 Do. New...... ....... p 4 2 Crystal Pal , of France 20 3 Eastern Steam — 25 20 ElectritTelegraph(A) 17 18 25 all Do. (B) l7 18 171 1 1 Electric Teleg. of Ir. 15 14 Gen. Steam Navigat. 20 18 General Screw Steam ..• 20 76 Irish Beetroot Sugar 20 10 Magdalena St. Navig. 1 all Nat. Pat. Steam Fuel 10 3 Netherlands Land 3 2 d 2 1 N.S. W. Coal &Inter. Steam Navigat. Co. ... 1 all N. B. Australasian id a p 1 1 4 Do. New 20 10 Nrth. of Europe Steam •• • 5 all Peel Rr. Ld. & Minrl. 4d par 41 50 all Peninsular& Oriental ... 62 it 50 30 Do. 2 all Portland Iron Co 100 60 Royal Mail Steam ••• 1 all Scot. Austral. Invest. leg lap 24 1 25 25 South Austral. Land 37 39 37 1 all Submar. Telegraph.. id all Do. Registered 4d *p 100 286 Van Diemen's Land 13 —l4 MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) COVENT GARDEN. To-day's market was seasonably well supplied with most articles. On the whole the demand ruled steady, at last week's currency. FRIIIT.—Pine apples, English, 5s Od to 8s Od each ; ditto colonial, is Od to is 3d each ; hot-house grapes, 5s to 8s; foreign ditto, is 3d to 2s 6d per lb; apples, 6s to 12s per bush ; pears, 3s Od to 6s per dozen ; lemons, Os 9d to 2s ; oranges 3s Od to 9s per 100 ; almonds, 2s to 3s per lb. ; Barcelona nuts, 208 per bush.; cob-mite, 110 s to 120 s per 100Ibs. ; chesnuts, 8s to 20s per bushel ; filberts, 85s to 100 s per 100 lbs; walnuts, 84 to is 6d per 100. VEGETABLES. — Cabbages, 9d to is 6d • Brussels sprouts, 2s Oct to 3s Od per half sieve ; brocoli, 9d to is 6d per bund.; greens. 2s Odto 4s Od per doz. bunches ; French beans, 3s to 5s Od per 100 ; potatoes, 140 s to 180 s per ton ; turnips, 2d to 4d per bunch ; carrots, 4d to 6d per bunch ; cucumbers, is Od to is 3 d each ; celery, 9d to is 6d per bundle ' • spinach, 4s Oct to 6s Od per sieve ; onions, 2s 6d to 386 d per bushel • Spanish ditto, is to 3s ; per doz. leeks, 2d to 4cl per bunch ; shallots, 6d to 8d ; horse-raddish, 2s Oct to 4s 0,1 per handle • parsley is Gd to 3s Od per dozeu buuuhes ; rhubarb, is Oct tols 6d per bundle ; endive, 2s to 3s 6d per score. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. Turkeys, 4s Gd to 8s Od; Geese, 4s 6d to 6s each ; Ducks, 2s to 2s 6d; tame Rabbits, 10d to is 6cl ; wild ditto, 10d to is 6d ; Pigeons, Gd to 8d each; roasting Pigs, 4s to 7s 01 each; Surrey Fowls, 5s Od to 9s Od ; ditto Chickens, Os 0.3 to Os Od; barn-door Fowls, is 9d to 2s 9d per couple; Capons, 3s to 4s Od ; Chickens, is 6d to 2s Od per couple ; Pheasants, 3s Gd to 4s Od; Partridges, is 6d to is 9d; Hares, 2s 6d to 3s Gd; Leverets, Os Od to Os Od; Woodcocks, 2s 6d to 3s 6cl; Grouse, 2s Od to 2s 6d; Snipes, ,9d to is 6d; Teal 6d to 9d; wild Ducks, is 9d to 2s 3d • Widgeons, 9d to is Od; and Plovers, 6d to is each. English Eggs, 8s Od to 9s Gd; French ditto, Gs Od to 7s 6d per 120 ; Ostend fresh butter Ils 6d to 13s Od, and English 12s Od to 16s Oct per dozen lbs. BILLINGSGATE. Turbots, 2s 6d to 15s ; Brills, is 6cl to 7s each; Salmon 3s 6d to Os per lb; Cod Fish, 5s Od to lOs Od each ; Soles, 2d to is 6d per pair ; Eels, 8d to is per lb ; Lobsters, 6d to 3s Od ; Crabs, 4d to 2s 9d ; Whitings, is to 2s Gd per doz ; Doreys, 2s to 7s ; Mullets, 6d to 2s 6d each ; Common Oysters, 10s Oct to 16s 04; Natives, 40s Od to 50s Od per bsh; Mackerel, 25s to 30s per 100; Smelts, is Oct to 3spr doz. ; Skate, 64 to Od por lb; Shrimps, is 6d to 2s 6d per gallon; Bloaters, is 6d to 2s Od per doz. Fresh Herrings, 8s Od to Os Od per 100 ; Haddocks, 6s to 12s per doz. ; Plaice, 4d to is Od each ; Carp, 2s Oct per brace ; Tench, 2s Oct to Os Od per brace ; Gurnets, 4d to is Od each ; Halibut, 6d per lb. • Salt Fish, 2d. to 5d per lb. ; Prawns, 2s Oct to 4s Oct per lb. ; Flounders, is to Is 6 d per dozen ; Sturgeon, 6d per lb.; Pike 6d per lb. ; sprats, 3s Od per bushel. BREAD. - The prices of wheaten bread in the metropolis are from lld to 110; of household ditto, 9d to 100 per 41b loaf. NEWPORT. Beef from 3s 6d to 4s 4d ; mutton, 3s 8d to 4s 8d ; veal, 4s Od to 5s 2d ; pork, 4s Od to 5s Od per Blbs. WHITECHAPEL. Beef, from 3s 4d to 4s 4d ; Mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 8d ; Veal, 4s Od to 5s Od ; Pork, 3s 4d to 5s Od per 81bs. by the carcase. HIDES AND SKINS. Market hides, 561 b to 641 b, 2id to 3d; 641 b to 721 b, 3d to 3.¢d; 721 b to 801 b, 3id to 3441 ; 801 b to 881 b, 3id to 4d ; 881 b to 961 b, 4d to 4d ; 961 b to 1041 b, 4d to 44d ; 1041 1 ) to 1121 b Od to Od. Horse hides, Cs 6d to Os Od; calf skins, light, 2s Od to 3s 6d; ditto, full, 6s 6d to Os Od; polled sheep, 8s 0(1 to 9s 6d; Kents, 7s Od to 8s 6d; Half•breds, 6s 9d to 7s 6d ; Downs, 5s 3d to 6s 3d. HAY MARKETS. SMITHVIELD.—Meadow hay, 3/ Os to 5/ 5s ; clover ditto, 4/ Os to 6/ 6s ; and straw, 1/ 18s to 2/ 5s per load. A moderate supply, and a sluggish demand. CIIMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, 3/ Os to 5/ 5s ; clover ditto, 31 15s to 6/ Os; and straw, 1/ 18s to 2/ 5s per ]oad. Supply good, and trade rather firm. WHITECIIAPEL.—Meadow hay, 2/ 15s to Si Os; clover ditto, 31 15s to 6/ 6s ; and straw, 1/ 16s to 2/ 4s per load. Trade steady, at our quotations. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, Feb. 11.—Wind this day at Noon, N. ; mo derate breeze. RAMSGATE, Feb. 10.—Wind, N.N.W. fresh. Arrived —Pomona, from Shields, for the Mediterranean, assisted leaky, with damage, bowsprit carried away, and le%g . , from collision. Sailed—Anna Agatha, for Rio Grande ; An netta Catharina, Porto Ricol FOLKSTONE, Feb. 15.—Arrived—Bristol Packet, from Leith, for Portsmouth, leaky. PORTSMOUTH, Feb. 9.—Wind, N. by E. Arrived-- Bussors.h Merchant, from London, for Sydney, N.S.W. ; Devonshire, do., and sailed for New York. Sailed—Ma labar, for Madras ; Sir Robert Peel, Now York; Ithono, New York. COWES, Feb. 10.—Wind, N. by E. Arrived—King fisher, from Sunderland, for Havannah. Sailed—Ocean, for New York ; Doctor Kneep, do. BRIDLINGTON, Feb. 10.—Arrived—Renovation from St. John' s , N.B. , GRIMSBY. Feb. 10 . — Sailed—Atalanta, for Melbourne. CALMS, Feb. 10.—The Menai (s.), flora London, in making the harbour, was struck by a sea, which injured her rudder, and the vessel became unmanageable, when she went ashore at the back of the North pier. This morning, when the tide ebbed, she was left high and dry, and the passengers were landed ; cargo will be discharged, and should the weather moderate she may be got off without much damage. At present it is blowing a strong gale from the north, with a heavy sea. ROTTERDAM, Feb. B.—The Vivid, from Goole to this port, was stranded on the Zechoriden Ploat, yesterday, and remains—crew saved. It is feared the vessel and cargo (cotton and machinery) will be lost. ANTWERP, Feb. 9.—The William, Newcastle to Malaga, was on shore at Zolt Kamp on 6th inst., but not in a dan gerous position. FREDRICLItoSnTfuTioJan. Lange,2 s.— sa The fio K i d, hasron P ripuust OilcoarAosf. Porsgrana, malsoom, leaky,,with loss of false keel. (a ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Saturday, 10.30 A.M. Wind, N.W., fresh breeze, and fine. S a iled—Crest of the Wave, for Melbourne ; Lord Elgin, Demerara ; Albert Edward, Calcutta; Samuel, Honduras ; Trade Wind, New Orleans. QUEENSTOWN, Feb. 9. Sailed—llos, for London ; Canterbury, Malta, (BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Saturday, 9 a.m. Wind N.W., fine ; tide, 24 hours' flood, Arrived—Carolinda, from-Fondieherry ; Caledonia (s), Hamburgh ; William Pitt, Guernsey ; Tiger (s), Ham burgh ; Seine (s), Boulogne ; Belgium (s), Ostend. Sailed—Maria Jambe, for Melbourne. DEAL, Saturday, 9.41 4.111, Wind N.N.W., fine. Passed—Mary Stewart, from London for Troon. . Sailed—Ostrich, for rive r , i n t ow ; Alipore, for river, tow; Golden State, do. ; Earl of Shaftesbury, do. ; Eliza Morrison, do, ; - Union, Ocean Wave, Joseph Wheeler, for river. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 11, 1854. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. to put an end to the existing state of affairs in the prin cipalities—as we have tried negotiations too long, and found them fail, are we not bound in honour to proceed to war ? And, if we are not at this moment at war, or proceeding to war, are we not covering ourselves with disgrace ; I think the question put by the noble mar quis ought to be answered by the Government ; and the question is this—are any negotiations now taking place on the part of this country for obtaining peace ? The Earl of ABERDEEN. —Certainly, there are none. Lord BEM:MONT.—If no negotiations are going on for peace, are we to remain satisfied, and are no steps to be taken to put an end to the present state of affairs in the principalities ? Earl GRANVILLE.—I rise to order. (Hear.) I think that even the question put by the noble earl (Grey) although notice of it was given, was of an irregular character. I acknowledge the importance of that ques tion ; but it seems to me irregular to propose questions in this house respecting the order of business in the House of Commons. The noble baron who has just ad dressed the house, not content with one speech, has made two, in the course of which he went on putting argu mentative questions, to which he seems to expect answers. I hope that a sense of what is due to the dignity of the house will prevent a continuance of this scene. (Hear.) All that my noble friend• at the head of the Government said—and I hope he is not the only man in the country who shares the sentiment—was, that while war is not declared there is still some chance of maintaining peace. My noble friend answered explicitly that he is not aware of any negotiations going on, but he hopes there is a chance of peace being maintained from this circumstance, that from the policy pursued by the Government in co-operation with France having resulted the cordial combination of the great Powers of Europe, that combination may be followed, on the part of Russia, by some departure from the violent, and, I must say, imprudent course which she has hitherto pur sued. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE.—I am sorry to have fallen under the rebuke of the noble Lord Presi dent ; but he must excuse me for telling him that it is not I, but he, who is ignorant of the usages of Parlia ment, if he thinks that at a time when it is doubtful whether the country is at war or peace, and after the Prime Minister has made a speech, it is irregular for a member of either House of Parliament to rise in his place and ask a question arising out of a gratuitous assertion in that Minister's speech. (Hear.) I found no fault with what the noble earl at the head of the Go vernment said, but I demanded an explanation. I have now received a free and frank one. The noble earl says fairly that negotiations are closed. There are none going on at St. Petersburg ; none, I hope, at Constantinople ; and none anywhere that we know of. That, I say, is a fair and clear answer, but my question was a very pertinent one to put. What are the facts of the case ? The noble earl at the head of the Government alluded to the country as not being in a state of war, and followed that up by saying he hoped war was not inevitable, thus occasioning your lordships' minds to jump—if I may use the expression— to a conclusion very different from that to winch we were led by the course of the debate the other evening. I maintain, then, that I was perfectly right in asking the question I did, and, far from receiving the noble earl's rebuke with the humility which, perhaps, he anti cipated, I contend that the course I have taken is in conformity with the usage of Parliament—(hear)--and if the present unfortunate state of things should con tinue, I shall not fail to ask for information from Minis ters of the Crown upon any points which seem to require elucidation. I admit it to be desirable, both for the purpose of convenience and for the sake of obtaining a clear answer, that notice should be given of questions ; but questions arising out of statements made by Minis ters of the Crown ought to be proposed immediately, and I hope that, as long as Parliament maintains its in dependence of the Crown and Ministers, such questions will continue to be put. (Hear.) Earl GREY—I also rise to protest against the re buke which the noble earl has thought fit to administer to me, my noble friend, and the house itself. The noble earl said that our proceedings on the present occasion were inconsistent with the dignity of the house. For my part, I believe they are perfectly regular, and that any proceedings in the Commons House of Parliament with which we are made acquainted by the printed votes laid upon their table may properly be noticed in this house if any of your lordships think that by doing so they can promote the public welfare. I am not aware that in founding a question on a notice in the Commons' paper I was guilty of any irregularity. lam also unaware that the noble baron near me (Lord Beaumont) committed any irregu larity. I concur in the expediency of not pressing the Government to proceed further than they are prepared to go. I assure the noble earl at the head of the Govern ment that I entirely concur with him in an earnest desire for the preservation of peace ; and although the Russian Minister has left our shores—although, as I have heard, part of the Queen's Guards are ordered for embarcation—and although every other symptom indi cates that we are on the eve of actual hostilities, yet I heard with unfeigned satisfaction that the Government still does not despair of the preservation of peace. As far as I am concerned, nothing shall fall from my lips which could in the least contribute to the embarrassment of the Government, or prevent them from carrying on negotiations or adopting measures by which they may still think it possible to avert the calamities of war. My only motive for putting the question which I proposed, was a conviction—in no degree shaken by what fell from the noble earl—that, from a false point of honour, and iu order to redeem a pledge, the Government are wantonly and deliberately about to risk the welfare, and, perhaps, the safety of the country by bringing for ward, at an imprudent moment, the question of which hey have given notice. (Hear, hear.) Their lordships then adjourned. vigour and effect. These changes—even in times of profound peace and tranquillity—are not unattended with certain inconvenience, but at a moment of actual HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY.) preparation for war, or on the breaking out of hostilities, I am sure that every man must :eel that a change of The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the wool- Ministers would be attended with the greatest incon sack at 5 o'clock. venience, if not danger. We cannot afford to have a THE EASTERN QUESTION. Ministerial crisis needlessly brought on, or needlessly The Earl of CLARENDON having laid upon the table of risked, at a time when the attention of the country is entirely occupied with pr ov idi ng f or it s own defence, the house papers connected with the suspension of di lo- for the vigorous conduct cf the hostilities with matic relations between Russia and this country, which it is threatened. (Hear, hear.) It is on these Earl FITZ WILLIAM said, I shall now proceed to grounds lam most anxious to know whether—even at put to my noble friend at the head of the Foreign-office at the last moment—her Majesty's Government may be i ww n hi c t l ih i e n b e d I t h o a Ministersvpeo a s t c ifpnvoe thinking iend k. bringing ingA tt that ahte forward tbre t ce h t eI is ms e s uwarghe which e t e h o e the question of which I gave notice yesterday. It is so much a matter of notoriety that I need not remind your lordships of it, that a Russian Minister has lately pro- ought to be taken into consideration as soon as possible. ceeded from St. Petersburg to Vienna for the purpose, All that has taken place during the last two or three years it is supposed, of making some proposals either to the proves that no advantage is to be gained by attempting which Court of Vienna, or through the Court of Vienna to the to g et rid of the q uestion . However inconvenie n t a nd d may more settled,obr be pressingt er deal s til l w ,in i l et t a l settehmge ought w u n e he s it t e i h o t n ot h , teiatpk resent s o e n n e t Ottoman Court. The question, therefore, or rather the pre questions, which lam desirous of putting to my noble eid n u e l et mustof it the be friend are these is -let, whef:aer her Majesty's Govern- state of the country demands. I therefore beg to ask inept are cognizant of an Os such propositions which have t t s : the ai t e e otr noblenesusueobthat the frjoer ceta the oh r o l fet ar a hpr t eivamr t ri h yliaii j e aoaemu h sn st e edye a n. d nstoaaf o Grv f ypyo t vra l: eer e frl ion G armmi n o e v e nnu e t r tn n dibne m ert e fe n otnh t rdee cttooh ne sb whether ierdisent i i rg t : been made there—l ooean, of any propositions which i have been made eithor to the Court of Vienna, or to the a Ottoman Court &.rough the intervention of the Court of m Vienna ; and, secondly, whether, in the event of any The Earl of ABERDEEN—In a nswer t o th e question copy of then ) propositions being in the possession of her put by the noble earl, I have to inform him that it is the Majesty's Government, my noble friend would have any intention of a noble lord, on Monday nex t, to bring for objection to lay that document, either in extenso or in ward a measure of Parliamentary ref orm in the House subs 'ante, before Parliament ? of Commons. If I correctly understood the noble earl, The Earl of CLARENDON—It is notorious, as my the objection he takes to that cours e o f p ro ceeding rests noble friend has said, that Count Orloff has been sent on the supposition of its interfering with those prepare upon a special mission from St. Petersburg to Vienna. tions —those military and naval preparations—which the I believe that he was not the bearer of that counter- present state of this country not only justifies but de project or answer to the terms of the Turkish Go- mends. Now, my lords, it will not practically have any vernment to which I alluded the other night. Those such effect. The navy estimates were laid on the table terms, or counter-terms were sent by the Aus- of the House of Commons yesterday. It was impossible, trian chargé d'affaires from St. Petersburg to from the nature of these estimates day than next Friday for their consid era ti on . O n Friday, Vienna, in reply to the communication which he had , to appoint an earlier therefore, the navy estimates will be taken into consider been instructed to make to the Russian Govern- ation ; but the measure of Parliamentary reform, although ment. I may as well mention in substance what the proposed on Monday, will not be proceeded with until ffe(rCihneers.) consequence The pubelfic the introduction proceed either to St. Petersburg, or to the head guar - terms proposed by Russia were. The first was, that it after the consideration of the estimates, hbeusboth for the was indispensable that a Turkish plenipotentiary should - a f or there or n e Y. will and n n o a t v suffer of the Reform Bill ; but her Majesty's Government have ters of the Russian army, in order to negotiate a peace ; felt that their character is at stake and depends on the secondly, that if he came to St. Petersburg the repre- introduction of that measure ; and, if it had been pos sentative of the Four Courts might have instructions sible to postpone it, we should have met with -the just to advise and concert with the Turkish plenipoten- reprobation of Parliament and the country for taking tiary, but the form of a conference was to be avoided ; that course. Noble lords seem to think that we are thirdly, that there was to be some separate or independent actually at war. Now, I must say that, not only is that act or protocol, defining clearly former or recent fir- not the case, but I for one deny, although it has been mans of the Sultan, confirming or constituting the asserted in this house by various noble lords, that war privileges and immunities of the Greek Church in the is inevitable. On the contrary, although I admit the East. There was also an article to the effect that the case is such as to require ample preparation to meet the principalities should be evacuated as soon as possible ; danger of war, yet Ido not abandon all hopes of main and, fourthly, it has provided that an arrangement taming peace. (Hear, hear.) Practically, therefore, my should be come to with respect to affording asylum for lords, whatever my hopes or belief may be, they will what were called " agitators and revolutionaries" not affect the course of proceeding of the Government. from different parts of the world. A conference was We shall make all preparation as if war were inevitable. summoned by Count Buol at Vienna, to which that (Hear, hear.) My lords, war in itself is the cause of counter-project was submitted. The terms were com- many calamities to mankind ; but it is an additional pared with those which had been previously approved misfortune that it should interfere with the progress of by the Conference and transmitted to St. Petersburg, every social improvement, and with all those measures and it was found they were totally at variance with which most conduce to the welfare of the country. them. The conference, therefore, determined, and they (Hear, hear.) Bit I cannot admit that the mere appre recorded their determination in a protocol, that they hension of war is to prevent us from redeeming the were unacceptable to the Sultan, and should not be pledge which we have given to Parliament and the coun transmitted to Constantinople. (Hear, hear.) That is try, and which we are bound and determined to fulfil. the answer to my noble friend's question with respect to The Earl of DERBY—I have heard with regret the the counter-project by Russia. With respect to the statement made by the noble earl at the head of the other object of Count Orloff's mission, I beg to state that I have no official papers on the subject, and Government. I heard it wi th regret, .ection which I because it con that I am not sufficiently informed upon it to make tamed nothing which met the objection any statement to your lordships with regard to understood the noble earl (Grey) urged against the it. But I believe I may say this much, that that introduction of a measure of Parliamentary reform negotiation of Count Orloff's, so far as I am informed, at the resen t moment. I did not understand the had only reference to the relations and the proposed noble earl mea relations between Russia and Austria ; and I believe sure of re form simply on the ground that its m ere that the answer given to those proposals was such as e earl to object to the bringing forward of a was fitting should be given by an independent country. ( introduction would interfere with those military and The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—I wish to put a naval preparations which the Government, as the execu question relating to a matter of fact. It is, whether tive power, is preparing ; but also, because if brought her Majesty's Ministers have received from the Court of forward now, it will be introduced at a time when it is Denmark or the Court of Sweden any communication importatt that all party feeling should be placed in obey of their intentions with respect to a neutrality or a modi- ante, and that all our attention shouldbe directed to one fled neutrality in the event of hostilities in the Baltic? object, and one object only—namely, preparing for that The Earl of CLARENDON—We have received war, which, I believe, the noble earl a'i the head of the communications from both Sweden and Norway. They Government is the only man in the country who does have announced to us their intention of preserving a not think imminent. (Hear, and langlter.) At such a strict and perfect neutrality—(hear)—and they have moment it is that the Government, for the purpose—as also sent to us a list of those ports and fortified places the noble earl says—of redeeming a pledge given to the to which they will not admit the ships of war of the country under very different circumstances, seem bent belligerents. We have sent an answer stating that we on running the risk of involving the House of Commons approve the system of policy which they propose, and in a serious conflict, and placing parties in a position the means by which they intend to carry it out, and which it is eminently for the advantage of the country adding that we shall respect their neutrality, that they should not be forced to assume. (Hear.) The The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—Have any excep- noble earl (Grey) announced that he placed no great tions been taken by her Majesty's Government with confidence in her Majesty's present Government, and in respect to the particular ports enumerated by Sweden I that he very much resembles me—(a laugh)—but I, I ask this question, inasmuch as I understand that nevertheless, concur with the noble earl in anxiously and several of those ports are essential to the operations of a earnestly deprecating anything which would lead to the fleet in the Baltic ; and Russia has ports there while we removal of Ministers at this moment. The noble earl have none. expressed my sentiments when he described the incon- The Earl of CLARENDON—No exception has been venience and danger arising from a change of Govern taken by us ; but great exception has been taken by meet ; it weakens the hands of the Executive, and Russia to the system which Sweden has announced. throws uncertainty into the councils of the country, and, The Earl of DESART.—So far as I can judge, it still therefore, however strong a partisan tie noble earl at appears from public report that there is some possibility the head of the Government may thick me, and, how of peace. I do trust, however that may be, that Rus- ever diametrically I may be opposed to his policy, sia is not to be permitted to gain another of those diplo- I can assure him I desire to see no change of Ad matic victories by which she has acquired a greater ad- ministration now. (Hear, hear.) At all events, (Mimi of territory within the last century than she has I hope your lordships and the country will give done by force of arms. If Russia is still willing to ne- ins credit for desiring that all considerations of gotiate and to accept such propositions as the Sultan party should be abandoned, and that we should unite would have submitted to some time ago, let her do so ; in doing all that is required for the welfare and honour but if that is not her intention, and if for a length of of the country. (Hear.) The noble earl (Grey) sug time Russia is permitted to retain the Black Sea as a mare Bested the possible effect which might be produced by elausum I can only say that you put powers into her the reform measure not being satisfactory to the country, hands which have long been the source of contention, and pointed to consequences involving either a dissolu and out of which will probably originate fresh contention of Parliament or the resignation of Parliament or tions, which may draw this country into a war which the resignation of the Ministry. But suppose the mea she may not be prepared to meet. I trust I shall be sure be satisfactory to the country—an extensive mea excused for offering these remarks ; but I feel strongly sure we are bound to presume it will be or it would not that this should not be allowed to be a triumph instead be worth all the turmoil and trouble which will be of a punishment to Russia, after the calamities which caused by it. Well, if it be satisfactory, and adopted she has brought upon her subjects, the great obstruc- by Parliament, how, in such a case, could a Parliament tions which she has occasioned to commeece, and the condemned by its own declaration continue to sit and near embroilment in a war in which she has involved all advise the Crown, and carry on the business of the Europe. (Hear, hear.) country ? (Hear.) Thus, whether the measure be re- Earl FITZWILLIAM—Is th e h ou se to understand jetted or adopted, it will be productive of inconvenience, that my noble friend has or has not any papers relative and must lead to the dismissal of the Commons at no to the mission of Count Orloff to Vienna ? distant period. Now, I ask the Government whether— The Earl of CLARENDON—I distinctly stated that setting party considerations aside—it will conduce to I have no papers. As soon as I obtain any information the welfare of the country to have a dissolution of Par- I shall lay it upon the table, using, of course, my own liament, either now or in the course of the present ses discretion as to how far it may be proper to publish sion ? Can it take place with due regard to the in papers which relate to matters that do not concern this terests and safety of the country? The objection to the country. At present. I have none, proceedings contemplated by her Majesty's Government THE REFORM BILL. is not so much that it will prevent the introduction of the navy a e n f darn9yestima f tes as that it will divert the Earl GREY—In asking the question of the noble earl to be direct r er at the head of Her Majesty's Government of which I o at u t a e i n it tio m n ainly Parliament by subject to which it gave notice last night, I have only a few words to say in when all ought to be acting harmonious concert in in yexcitmpary feeling explanation of my reason for doing so. Your lordships promoting the defence of the country and preparing for are aware from the votes that notice has been given in war. I concur with the f noble earl (Grey) in deprecat ing the i h t i r t o a d e u d cti e o x n ei o te apamretasure which is sure to raise the other House of Parliament that a bill upon the sub - be taken ha y ject of Parliamentary reform is to be proposed on Mon- what course slr may day next, on behalf of the Government. That notice those who are not in the habit of goyim tahnei T4 s, e s u it e i e es (; f Commons m k lo o s: s n h o y t giving their confidence was given at the beginning of the session, but since then to the Government. The noble earl and his colleagues I have heard from persons of the most various political i h a a n y g e b) certainly na ul e laugh) —namely, determined fe rp on itohnr throwing i joining ni n g which it will reqtuhretegmeat temptation virtue to resist—(a ere ventu m re o opinions, of the most conflicting views as to the propriety out a temptation iof any further reform, such a unanimous concurrence in verse to the Government on a i to or a eepxepsri vote et fse a s n d a; f s r t an v k it l a y l the opinion which I ventured to express to your lord- with respect to which defeat would be fatal. ") Many of ships on the debate upon the address, that this is an in- those who may not the e ssent from the,measure itself will doubtless object butto I h time and opportunity selected for expedient time to bring forward a question of reform, at its introduction, all events until those measures of national defence which may be required by the possible outbreak of war are hope that, however reckless the conduet of the be in throwing before Govern completed, that I really felt confident that the Govern- ment may . the country such a tation at such a ma subject of op. In d ent, a sense of what ment would postpone that notice unless they should be blic interests is due to the pu public welfare will able to assure us that the probability of peace being dis- ts of the an-- turbed was at an end, and that we might rely upon tran- prevent the opponents of Government from falling into the snare which it to ap , - ?ears the noble earl and his quillity being preserved. Your lordships must be aware after what you have heard to-night, that no such hope- colleagues are offering be dheem. (Ironical cheers.) I trust that nothingwill —I trust the House of of preserving peace can be indulged in. Indeed, what the ne the noble earl has told us this evening of the temper Commons will no t afford noble . earl and his colleagues which has been exhibited by Russia makes the probe,-escaping from the diffic • a chance of . difficulties of their present bility of war even stronger than ever. Under these cir- position by rejecting the Reform Bill. However the cumstances, therefore, I am anxious to know whether conduct of the Government may be deprecated and de the Government really mean to submit to Parliament nounced in introducing it, I hope the measure • lf will itself a measure for the alteration of the constitution of be received with the respect which is due to all commu the House of Commons before those other measures mcations addressed to Parliament by the Crown, and which are essential to provide for the defence that we, who are the opponents of the Government, will of the country have been considered and dis- not be parties to any party moment viswihoen separating the two posed of. I cannot help remarking to your lordships sides of the house at a the when lagreeruent between them is most desirable, until Government shall call that there is naturally greatanxiety in the public mindwhich it would on this subject. Every one wishes to see the navy and upon xis in a manner ~N ~ e impossible to army estimates and other measures brought forward, and evade to pronounce Ay or oon the principle of hear.) especially that measure for extending the militia force, the measure. (HeaCIANRICARDE I which is at present only applicable to England, to the The Marquis of . heard an ob t importance fall from the noble earl at other divisions of the United Kingdom. (Hear, hear.) servation of great importance I understood There is a very great objection to having the discussion the head of the Government,re we not now at the noble upon those matters interfered with by another measure earl to say that not onl y admitteda war to t t 7ar, but also of the nature to which I have referred ; and I beg to call that he by no means from what we heard e inevitable, your attention to the fact that the delay may not be This is so differentask theo a former it necessary to noble earl confined merely to a single night, or even to the several evening, that I feel at this moment an nights occupied by an adjourned debate, but it may be a whether he isaware that to the state of ?:enegotiations stilities and delay of a much more serious character, because I pre- are going on to put endahnema_ j esty's speech from t . he throne, sums that so great a measure as one of Parliamentary warfare referred to in d r to be prevaili • ng in an important reform is not to be launched by the Government without and popularly believe the full intention of proceeding with the consideration of part of Europe. ERDEEN — A state of w ar f are ex i sts it without unnecessary delay. Looking, however, at The Earl of AB Porte; but I have yet to learn the great variety and conflict of opinions upon this sub- between Russia and the with at war any Power. I war ject which now prevail in the country, it is possible that that this country is but too probable • but say , I say it is the Government may fail in proposing such a measure as may be, unfortunately, l 1 . a s peace remains I will not will meet with th e approbation of Parliament. Are we, not inevitable, and as S %Lining it ; and, please God, then, in the midst of preparations for war, to have a abandon the hope of mai m art to maintain' dissolution ' of Parliament or a resignation of the present no effort shall be spared 0n_ .. y .. g 0 __ it. DE Precisely; and it Ministry ? (Hear, hear.) lam not one of those who The Marquis of CLANltfuslu eat my question, which the noble profess any unbounded confidence in the present advisers is for that reason I repeal k the noble earl whether he of her Majesty, but I own that I should look forward to earl has not answered. I that any negotiations are on foot their resignation at this moment with feelings of alarm is aware at this moment, of warfare alluded to in her and appr e h ens i on. ( H ear. ) I t wou ld b e i mposs ibl e f or for terminating th e state throne on the opening of Par a change of Administration to take place without some Majesty's speech from the ifferent iu its tone from P ar. disturbance of the reoular march of the Government. liainent—a speech very d • , It is quite t rue th at w hen the members ' • mbers of an Ad ininis- which the noble earl has addressed to your lordships to tration r • esign they continue to perform the functions night? —I have no el=ection of their respective offices until their successors The Earl of ABERDEEN s on to are appointed, and thus there is no • t: actual interruption answer the noble marquis's question. The negotiations last under consideration have of the most necessary functions of the executive Govern- relating to the proposition v. a Wh t • a may arise ment • but we also know that from . the very day on certainly come to a close at ienn . which ' the resignation of her Ma•est's advisers is ac- hereafter lam unable to say at present. (Some laughter cepted until their successors are actually installed in from the Opposition.) office more than half of the real - that is no answer. Lord BEAUMONT. — Su reI y . power . vernment is destroyed. It is utter) ble when (Hear, hear.) The 4uestion pot by the . noble marquis y impossi oing on at Vienna, the reins of power are about tohands f did not relate solely to what was g pass from the o are now nego one set of men t'o those of another—when it is uncer- but its object was to ascertain whether we ) I understood that tain whether the measures in progress will not be entirely tiating for peace anywhere. (Hear. and, as we are reversed— under such Circumstances it is, I u tterly i negotiations were completely closed, say, Por te --as we are pledged impossible that the GoTernment can be carried on with I Pledged to support the Sublime For HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. R. CLIVE took the oaths and his seat for South Shropshire ; Col. HERBERT took the oaths and his sea t for Ludlow. PETITIONS. Sir J. WALMESLEY presented a petition from the Corporation of Leicester against the recommenda tion of a select committee of the house for consolidating borough and counties into districts for police purposes. Mr. MIALL presented a petition from Rochdale pray ing for energetic measures against Russia in favour of Turkey. Mr. LOWE presented a petition from Kidderminster in favour of reformatory schools. Mr. P. MILES presented a petition from a parish in Somerset against the sale of intoxicating drinks on Sun days. GREEK CLAIMS. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, by command of her Ma jesty, brought up a further correspondence respecting the rights and privileges of the Greek Church in Turkey The correspondence was ordered to lie upon the table, RUSSIA AND TURKEY Sir H. WILLOUGIIBY gave notice that, on Mon day, he should ask the noble lord the member for the City of London a question relative to the Turkish papers, commencing with those which were signed by Count Buol. The hon. baronet took that opportunity of asking whether the treaty of Unkiar Skelessi could be pro- duced ? Lord J. RUSSELL replied in the affirmative. THE AMERICAN MINISTER. Mr. ROEBUCK drew attention to the fact that the American Minister had been unable to attend the open ing of Parliament, owing to the regulation which pre vailed that none but persons in full dress were admitted to the body of the House of Lords. He wished to know if the Government approved of that regulation. Lord J. RUSSELL said the card of admission sent to the American Minister was the ordinary card issued by the Lord Chamberlain on such occasions, and it bore the usual words stating that the bearer of the card must appear in Court dress. The American Minister did not make any application to the Foreign-office on the sub ject, but simply contented himself with not attending the opening of Parliament. The Emperor of the French had allowed the American Minister to present his cre dentials in plain dress, but at the time it was intimated to the Minister, that upon all future occasions when he was invited to the fetes of the Court he would be ex pected to attend in the ordinary Court costume. He did not, under these circumstances, apprehend that any inconvenience was likely to arise from the regulation which prevented the American Minister from attending the opening of our Parliament. RETURN OF THE COMBINED FLEETS TO CONSTANTINOPLE. - - Mr. FRENCH wished to ask the noble lord the member for the City of London, if he could give any explanation as to why the combined fleets had returned to Constantinople from the Black Sea ? Lord J. RUSSELL said some time ago the admirals commanding the combined fleets were !desired by the English and French Ambassadors to go into the Black Sea, which they accordingly did, and the combined fleets stood in Sinope Bay for some days.' (Hear, hear.) The British admiral then wrote to say that he found it would be dangerous to remain any longer in that anchorage, inasmuch as if the united squadrons were to remain in the Black Sea for two months, it would pave the way towards promoting any wish which the Emperor of Russia might entertain that the British and French fleets should be destroyed. The Admiral, therefore, thought it to be his duty to return to Constantinople with the view of sending steam ships from time to time into the Black Sea in order to obtain the command of that Sea, which the British and French Governments had ordered the two admirals to do. He believed this conduct of the admiral was at variance with the instructions of the British and French Ambassadors ; but at the same time the Government thought that his explanation of it deserved their appro bation, as well as that of the country at larg©. (Hear.) SAVINGS BANKS. TheCHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in reply to a question from Mr. Wyse, said he intended to bring in a measure this session for the better management of savings banks. INCOME-TAX IN IRELAND. Colonel DUNNE wished to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he had adopted means of ascertain ing the amount of income tax paid by persons residing in England for property situated in Ireland, and the amount of income tax deducted by public offices in Eng land from the salaries or half - p a y or p ensions of persons residing in Ireland. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had no means o f ascer taining the amount of incomeetaz paid by persons residing in England for property situated in Ireland, because, in regard to real property, no cog nisance was taken of the party who might own the pro perty ; nor hal th e y h a d an y m e ans of information as to the other part of the hon. and gallant member's ques tion. With regard to income-tax paid under schedule D, the information required could of course be given. THAMES BRIDGES. Mr. OLIVEIRA gave notice that, on Thursday next, he should move for a select committee to inquire into the state and condition of the bridges over the Thames in the metropolis ; to report whether they were adequate to the present vastly increasing traffic ; whether it was desirable to construct one or more bridges over the river, and, if so, at what point or points ; whether it would be desirable to provide out of local funds the means of throwing open to the public the present toll-paying bridges, and, if so, upon what terms such bridges could be thrown open. LETTER-CARRIERS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the Secretary for the Treasury whether there was any objection to lay before the house the report, together with the evidence, of the commission recently appointed to inquire into the com plaints of the letter-carriers and other servants of the General Post-office ? Mr. WILSON replied that the report had not yet been received by the Treasury, but that when it was there would be no objection to lay it on the table of the house. SOLDIERS' RATIONS. Lord W. GRAHAM asked bis right hon. friend the Secretary at War whether it was true that the rations of the soldiers were to be supplied to them at the average price of the last few years ; and if so, from what time that indulgence would commence ; and whether it would be extended to all British soldiers, or only to those quartered in Great Britain and Ireland ? Mr. S. HERBERT said, in answer to this question, that an arrangement had been made by which the amount of stoppage for rations would be reduced. He was anxious that any statement he might make should be clearly understood and accurate in every detail, but, as there were several points yet that required the signature of the authorities before being finally settled, he trusted the noble lord would allow him on Monday to state ex actly what had been done with reference to this matter. COLONIAL POSTAGE. Mr. HANKEY wished to ask the Secretary of the Treasury, whether any progress has been made in the proposed measure for the reduction of the colonial post age to an uniform rate ; and if he can give any informa t* on as to the time when such reduction will :probably come into operation ; also, whether he can give any in formation as to the more frequent postal communications from this country to the Australian colonies. Mr. WILSON said those two qnestions were of very great importance. With regard to the first, he had to inform the house that the Postmaster-General, at a very early period of last year, took steps, with the sanction of the Treasury, for the purpose of getting the concur, rence of those colonies over the internal affairs of which we had no control. The plan then proposed was to charge 6d. for each letter to the colonies, ld. of which was to be paid here, and ld. to the colony, the remaining 4d. to go for the ocean carriage. With regard to more frequent communication with Australia, the Postmaster- General was now endeavouring to effect measures which would give us a monthly mail between Australia and this country. THE ESTIMATES. Mr. DISRAELI—The noble lord has fixed this day week for taking into consideration the navy estimates. It would be convenient for the house, however, if the army and ordnance estimates were also laid on the table, so that the house might be able to consider the whole arrangements for the public service at the same time. Lord J. RUSSELL—The army estimates will be laid on the table to-night, with the view that on a question of so much importance the house may have an insight into the whole amount proposed by the Government. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. On the motion that the house at its rising do adjourn until Monday next, Lord JOCELYN took the opportunity of repeating a _ _ question to the noble lord the member for the] city of London, which he put on Monday last, viz., whether, in the undisturbed state of our foreign relations, it is the intention of the Government to recommend the house to proceed with the mea sure proposed to be introduced on Monday next, for amending the representation of the people of this country. On Monday the noble lord answered him in a manner which he would not characterise as discour- teous, but which was certainly curt. (A. laugh.) He thought, however, that the present aspect of our foreign affairs justified him in repeating the question, and therefore he begged to do so, expressing a full hope that the noble lord would give him an explicit and candid answer. (Hear, hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL said the question which was now put to him was somewhat different to that which was asked on Monday night. On Monday night he under . . . stood the noble 10 - rd to ask him - whether he in tended to propose to ask on Monday next for leave to bring in a bill of Parliamentary reform, but the noble lord had now put upon the paper a very difficult question, viz, whether the Government intended to proceed with the measure when it was brought in. Well, his answer to that question was this. On Monday he should ask for leave to bring in a bill to amend and extend the representation of the people in England and Wales, and if he was successful in obtaining that leave, he should propose to proceed with the second reading of the bill on the 13th of March. This arrangement would in no way interfere or interrupt the questions which might arise with regard to the naval and military esti mates, which must shortly come before the house — (hear, hear)—while he certainly did not anticipate, that when the 13th of March came, there would be any rea son for not proceeding with the measure. (Cheers.) Mr. HUME said, if ever there was a time when the people should rally round the Crown, it was now. It was an act not only of wisdom, but of policy, that the Government should not shrink from bringing forward their measure. Mr. DISRAELI said he and those friends with whom he acted, thought that this was not the time in which domestic agitation should be encouraged, nor in which the energies of the country should be diverted from the perilous aspect of our external affairs. He could not help thinking that the course which the ministry were about to adopt, was a reckless course. (Opposition cheers.) He (Mr. Disraeli) and his friends would not share that course, nor divert the energies of the country from the position of our foreign relations, and they did not there fore intend on Monday next to offer any opposition to the noble lord's motion. (Hear, hear.) Such opposi tion must naturally lead to protracted debates, when the attention of the house should be given to the means of carrying on the war in which we were now engaged. But if, on the 13th March, which was now announced for the second re,ding of the noble lord's bill —if, when that period had elapsed, the noble lord had not seen occasion to come forward and confess the error of his ways—(laughter)--if he then asked them to consent to his bill, of course, then, there could be no further opposition on their (the Opposition) side ; they must give the measure all the attention itidemanded, and if the attention of the house and the country should be diverted from more important questions, then upon the noble lord must rest the responsibility of bringing forward such a measure, and bringing forward such a measure at such a time. (Cheers and counter cheers.) Mr. BRIGHT said, until war had taken place or was inevitable, it would be a bad precedent to give such an excuse for putting off a reform bill. With respect to the charge of the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) that the course proposed by the noble lord was a reckless one he believed if the right hon. gentleman and his friends were now in power they would be doing the very same things as the Government were now doing, namely, doing their best to stave off a war. (Hear, hear.) And though the right honourable gentleman deprecated " agitating " the country on the subject, the press which advocated the policy of the right hon. gentleman had for months past, and until Parliament met been " agitating " the country on a certain great delusion, far more dangerous than any that could grow out of a re form bill. Lord J. MANNERS denied that his right hon. friend was actuated by any party motives in the notice which he had given to-night. The people did not wish to see the vigour of the coming war impeded by internal divisions upon domestic questions, and perhaps that was the reason why they heard so little out of doors upon the subject of Parliamentary Reform. He therefore hoped the Government would reconsider the determination with re gard to the new Reform Bill, andpostpone its discussion until a future session, when the aspect of our f or eign relations might be more cheering tha n it was at present. The motion for the adjournment of the house was then agreed to. PREVENTIO OF BRIBERY —TRIAL OF ELECTION PETITIONS. Lord J. RUSSELL said—l rise, sir, to ask leave to bring in two bills on the importan t sub j ects of bribery and treating, and the trial of co ntested elections . Everyone knows the practices which have prev ailed of late, tending to degrade all the parties concerned in them, as well as to lower the character of onr representation. (Hear, hear. ) The right hon. gentleman whom I see opposite to me pro. posed last year to consolidate the laws on the subject of bribery, and I had the great advantage of being able to study the proposals which he made on this subject. In explaining the course I wish to pursue, I have first of all to rem ark that it is a very difficult task f or th e L eg i slature effectually to arrest the progress of bribery. With respect to those offences in which there is any person directly in terested, such as assault or robbery, you have a person in terested, or at least impelled by his feelings to seek for redress, on whose assistance you may rely for car rying into effect the objects and intent of the law. But with respect to other offences, such as that of smuggling for instance, all the parties engaged in them have an interest in concealing the acts of each other—the person who sells the goods, the smuggler who convoys them across the water, the customer who buys them, are all participators in the crime, and are all desi rous of concealing the acts which they have committed. It is very much the same with respect to bribery. The can didate who engages in its practice, the agent whom he em ploys, and the person who receives the bribe, may all ob tain the object of their wishes, in the scat in Parliament, the profit received, the money obtained, and are all inte rested in concealing the facts. (Hear, hear.) lam happy, howeves, to say that in reference to that subject we have certainly made considerable progress in the last few years. The acts which have been passed to transfer the investiga tion of corrupt practices, where they extensively prevailed, from the committees of that house to the places them selves where the offence was committed, and also the acts by which the persons chiefly concerned, the can didates and their agents, and the porsolui who have re. ceived bribes, are all forced to attend and give evi dence—those acts, I say, have thrown a light upon the corrupt practices which prevailed, at least in certain of the boroughs, that never was obtained before. I should say likewise, that before committees of this house there has been a greater facility in obtaining evidence with resp ect to bribery than existed un til w i t hi n th e l as t few years. In making my proposal to the house, I should state, per haps, first, what is the general nature of the statutes which have been enacted upon this subject. The act 7 William 111. is directed against persons who have received any money, or give any money, or who give or receive food, drink, or entertainment, and disqualifies persons who are guilty of these offences, The statute 2 Geo. 11. punishes a voter asking any money for giving his vote by imposing a penalty of 5001., and for ever disqualifies the voter from voting, and the person bribing from being elected. An act which passed in the 49th George 111. inflicts various penalties on persons who endeavour to procure a seat in Parliament, and offer any gift or promise, any r e . ward or office, to persons who *mist in procuring it. Th e pecfiniary penalties are very high, being 1,0001. for one offence, and 5001. for another—that of receiving office. In proposing amendments I should say that, generally, I leave the offence of bribery subject to the punishment of misde meanour—that of fine and imprisonment, but do not pro pose to keep up the high p ecuniar y p enalties. 1 think the right hon. gentleman opposite (Mr. Walpole) takes the same view of that question. The attempt to inflict a fine of 500/ on a poor voter who receives the sum of ss. for his vote, would be utterly impracticable , and no object would be gained by retaining those penalties. After proceeding to define the offence of bribery, according to the man ner nearly in which It is at present defined, with the ad dition of some other offences, which I think have been omitted I propose to define the offence of treating nearly in the manner in which it is at present defined by law. then propose to define the offence of undue influence ; and I will read to the house a clause which I should propose in case the house will allow the bill to be brought in. The clause is in these words—" hvery person who shall, by n himself, or by any other person on his behalf , make use of, or inflict, or t o threatenm ak e u t s o e any et force, any n violence, jny, or harm, or loss, or in any other manner practice intimidation u p on or against any p erson on account of any such person having voted or refrained from voting, or in order to induce or com pel such person to vote or to refrain from voting at an elec tion, shall be deemed to have committed the offence of un due influence, an d s h a l l forfe i t t h e sum of —" aY s°l ' ) furl caonsytspoefrsatlt." n who shall sue for the same, toget her with Having thus defined those offences, the mode in which I propose—besides that which I mentioned as the penalty for misdemeanor which now attaches to bri bery—to check those practices, consists rather of depriving persons who may have been elected by bribery, treating, and corrupt practices, of the object they sought to attain by the infliction of any very severe penalties. I think you would be far more likely to attain your end by depriving those persons of the object at which they aim, than by proposing the infliction of pen a lti es w hi c h may never be enforced. 1 ' should propose to deprive the candidate of the seat in Parliament of which he is ambitious, and to deprive the voter of that vote of which he has made a corrupt use. I should propose, therefore, that a person guilty of bribery should be for ever incapable of being elected a member of Parliament; and that persons guilty of treating, undue influence, or making illegal payments, shall be incapable of electing a member for the same place in the same Parliament. This is the penalty which now attaches by statute to the offence of treating. I then propose, where there are any convictions for bribery and treating, that copies of those convictions shall be sent to the Speaker, and entered in the book of Parliamentary election dis qualifications. (Hear, hear.) I propose, likewise, with regard to those voters who are guilty of bribery, th at their names shall be struck out of the register of voters, and that—as I believe I once mentioned to the right honour able gentleman opposite (Mr. Walpole, as we understood) in conversation last year—their names should not only to tally disappear from the register, but that there should be a separate list of the names of persons disqualified from having received bribes, and that those names should be printed and published in the same manner as those on the register of voters, so that they should for ever after be seen to be disqualified for the commission of that offence. I do not wish to go much into detail with respect to those bills, and therefore I will not go into the various other provisions of the bill to consolidate and amend the law with regard to bribery, treating, and undue influence. But ' the second bill which I propose to bring in I may explain at the present moment is one of very great importance, of which the provisions are more susceptible, per haps, of doubt and hesitation than these I have men tioned, but which, according to the view I entertain of them, may be of considerable use in checking these de basing and degrading practices. (Cheers.) I have fre quently stated to the house, and to that all members in this house generally assent, that it is a great omission, at least in the spirit of our laws with respect to election peti tions, that where a case is one of the highest public in terest, it is made one entirely of private concern—(hear, hear)—and those candidates who have by the most corrupt means obtained a return are very often, instead of being disqualified and rejected from this house, rendered secure in their seats by the inability of those who have opposed them to stand the litigation, the delay, and the very heavy expense which must attend upon their applying to this house for a committee to try the validity of the return. Now, I do not find it easy to remedy that evil, because the house will at once agree that, while we ought to take care to have an investigation into such cases, we ought not to encourage or give any countenance to frivolous petitions. What I propose is this—that with regard to petitions which state that bribery, treating, corrupt prac tices, or undue influence have been used and have procured the return, all such petitions, according to the bill which I propose to bring in, shall be sent to a preliminary com mittee, which committee shall be in the nature of a grand jury. This preliminary committee would consist of 15. members, to be chosen by the general committee of elec tions, and they would hear the evidence on the part of the petitions to prove those practices. If they were satisfied that there was a sufficient case to proceed to an election committee, they would so report to the house, and the elec tion committee would be appointed in the ordinary course. The election committee would then investigate the case, and supposing that they should find that the petitioner had proceeded with probable grounds, I should then propose that his costs should be defrayed at the public expense. If, on the contrary, they should find there was no ground , then he would be obliged to pay the expenses of the sitting member whose seat he had attacked. (Hear, hoar.) I think that by these methods we should hold out some in ducement to those who now iu despair give up the prose cution of election petitions to bring cases before the house where very flagrant bribery has occurred. No one who has watched general elections can but be aware, that while there are numbers of cases brought to trial—that while in certain cases the candidate is rich, or where he thinks he has great influence in a place which it is worth his while to es tablish, the petition is curried on to its utmost result, and very great expenses are incurred; but there are other cases where the bribery has been quite as flagrant, if not more so, in which there is no investigation before this house , ' and no inquiry takes place. But, sir, beyond this pro posal, there is another method which I propose, and which I once proposed before in another shape. I mention this, h Avever ' as well as several other provisions , as pla ns which I have endeavoured to frame in order to check those practices, but not as plans which it is certain ought to be adopted by the house without very grave consideration. I propose that where it is declared by a candidate that he has reason to suppose that bribery or corrupt practices are used during the eh- ction, in that case, if the number of votes which he shall obtain from the poll shall amount to two-thirds of the number which the successful candidate shall obtain, and the successful candidate shall be proved to have been elected by means of bribery, the election committee shall have power to return the candidate who petitions. (Murmurs.) I once proposed, but with out the limitation of the number of two-thirds, that in such a case the petitioner should be returned. It is a mode of giving at least some inducement to persons to pe tition this house in case they had been rejected, and at the same time have had a majority of legal and unbribed votes at the election. There is another proposal which I have to make, which is an alteration, and not a very great altera tion, of the law as it at present exists, in consequence of the bills I have introduced in former years. I propose that where an election committee shall report that bribery extensively prevailed in any borough, then, without any address from this house and the other house of Parliament, the Speaker shall communicate that report to the Secretary _ of State for the Home Department, and that report shall be laid before the Crown, and the Crown shall thereupon have power to issue a commission, in the same manner in which commissions have been lately issued. I propose, likewise, to alter the manner in which commissioners have been appointed. (Hear, hear.) I formerly introduced the appointment of those commissioners on the nomination of the house, with the view to prevent any jealousy as to the influence of the Crown ; but I cannot help thinking that the dispersing among so large a number the responsibility of nominating commissioners, tends a good deal to pre vent a due selection being made . I therefore propose re stricting the choice in England to revising barristers who have been nominated by the judges in some former year to the office of revising barr ister, and to give the Crown the nomination of those c ommissioners. I believe a Minister— say the Secretary of ngunderasenseofSrtaestepofnoerihtilihe H om e ty, is much De p mt e m l e i n k t e — ly a to et ni l ake a good choice than could be made by the house. With respect to the withdrawal of petitions, there are vari ous other provisions in the bill, which are alterations of the present law of considerable importance, but which are too much matters of detail to make it necessary to enter upon them here. But there is one very con siderable alteration which, if I am allowed to bring in w th ieth bi r ll esp to ent co t n o so e l l id eo a t t t e on the present eoinmitteelas.w, was s po al s t w e ay o make s ake very h t e h e t t itle house. o I the f withdrawal of the power of judginghm u u c s I oppose d t froo f m persons think elected lcteadw has sit been this much amended in th a t respect that at least th as ere i e s u na any very well-found e d comp l a i nt at present of t h ere being g io a n committee s.nyparty or (Hear,corruptinfl influence e in Buttho d l ecls o io t n hink s of there is • still some reason to complain of a want of unifor mity of decision—(loud cries of hear, hear)—of a want of that legal knowledge which would enable the committee to decide in each case according to known principles of law. (Hear, hear.) In order to obtain this advantage, I propose that upon a dissolution of Parliament the Crown shall appoint ten barristers of ten years' standing to be assessors for the purpose of being nominated to act in that capacity to election committees ; and that in every subsequent year one person shall be so appointed which will probably be quite enough to be appointed for that purpose, and that the general committee, in nomi nating the election committee, shall at the same time name the particular assessor who shall attend the commit tee. I propose to repeal the provision—of which I was myself the original author—that there should be a separate chairman's panel. (Hear.) I propose that the general com mittee of elections shall choose the whole committee; and in that way, and with the assistance of the assessor, I think there would be a greater uniformity of decision than we have hitherto experienced. Now , with respect to prosecutions for bribery, I likewise propose , that when a committee reports that persons have been guilty of bribery, upon a communi cation by the Speaker of that fact, the Attorney-Gene ral should at once prosecute the persons so reported to have been guilty of this offence. I think it is desirable to re move those questions as far as possible from_ the discussion and debate of this house, when you have once appointed a tribunal by which they shall be dealt with. These, sir, generally, are the provisions which I propose to introduce in these bills. The house will have a better view of them when they have seen the bills and consulted their provi sions. I, for my part, in discussing their details, shall shall be quite ready to listen to any sugg estion that s ha ll be made. I believe that the great majority of this ho use think that the time has come when we ought to endeavour, if po ss ibl e,. to prevent and to check these degrading practices—(cheers) —and if we succeed the in such an object, we shall su ccee d likewise in raising character of this house. (Loud cheers.) • Mr. M. GIBSON sa id he should not on the moment pre sume to offer a hasty opinion on the details of the plan whichthe noble lord had submitted to their consideration; but there were two points which caught bis attention in the caw of the noble lord'` Eldzesh ma which he kad 6 remark wilmegel r im er to m at All Paris )tain Ling, 7.45 the 011813 this ther V i