The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-19 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

The London Gazette contains a despatch from General
Codrington, dated the 2d of February, enclosing a report from
Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, commanding Royal Engineers.
General Codrington writes :

The destruction of the docks of Sebastopol is now com-
pleted. The sides of the last dock were blown in yesterday
morning, small parts of walls here and there only remaining.
Thus the whole of the canal of entrance and north docks in
charge of the French, the basin in our mutual charge, and the
south docks in English charge, are separate but shapeless
masses of dirt; heavy broken stones, split beams of timber,
and shattered gates, protruding from the heap of confusion.
The labour of destruction has been difficult; these fine works
were formed in the middle ravine, at its outlet in an inner and
sheltered part of the harbour, one of the natural water-courses
from the plateau on which we have encamped. This end of
the ravine, about 700 yards from its mouth, seems to have been
filled in, so as to create a great artificial dam of earth, which,
with the steep banks on each side, formed three sides of a
raised enclosure, looking down upon the docks. A solid stone
wall, much struck by shot, crowns this sort of natural square.
The fine, but shattered barracks, standing still higher on the
left, with the sheds and dockyard and buildings, the masting-
shears, and a long quay to Fort Paul in front jutting into the
harbour, shows how well adapted all was for its purpose. It is
now a picture of destruction, desolation, and silence. There lies,
against the quay, the half-sunken hull of a vessel; and, in the
harbour beyond, the only things breaking the surface of the
water are the lower masts of the sunken ships of war. The
drainage of the water of the middle ravine, must, however,
pass through to the harbour somewhere ; and it was this that
has so much impeded the shafts; for the water, from rains,
often stood two feet high over the floor of the dock, and thus
of course filled the shafts themselves. Some details of the
execution of these are given from the enclosed summary from
Colonel Lloyd commanding the Royal Engineers, the im-
mediate executive officers being Colonel Gordon and Major
Nicholson. Amidst great difficulties of cold and wet—very
severe frost at one time and perpetually recurring pressure at
another—the work went steadily on, and great praise is due
to all those concerned—the engineers and sapper parties of the
Royal Artillery, the 18th, and latterly of the 48th Regiments.
These parties return to their duties to-morrow, after constant
and laborious work. The casualties have been but six, of
which two only have been fatal, and one man of the 48th
Regiment lost by foul air in a shaft; after several vain
attempts by Major Nicholson, other officers and men, them-
selves descending at great risk, the poor fellow's body was
brought in, but life was gone.
Your lordship will see that Colonel Lloyd expresses his
obligation to Mr. Dean and the chief engineer of H.M.S.
Royal Albert, for their assistance. The voltaic battery, we
must confess, did not always succeed. It seems to require
great nicety in operations, but in those cases in which I saw
it it succeeded ; the effect was perfect, the shake of the ground,
the heaving up of the mass, seemed instantaneous. The
destruction of other things will continue.
To Lord Panmure. W. CODEINGTON.

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.
VIENNA, Feb. 13.
The following intelligence has been received here, under
date of Constantinople, Feb. 4th :
There are hardly any foreign troops here.
There are 1,000 French in camp at Maslak, and two English
battalions, with a small cavalry detachment, at Pera and
Scutari.

Mehemet Kiprisli Pasha acts for Aali Pasha, who will soon
leave for Marseilles in the Ajaccio.
The Sultan was present at Lord Redcliffe's masked ball.
Advices from Trebizond of the 28th of January state that
the Russians have evacuated part of Turkish Armenia and
retired to Erivan.

A fire took place on Saturday in the barracks occupied by a
detachment of the 13th English dragoons.

No lives were lost.
The building, with the arms and:accoutrements it contained,
was totally destroyed. -
PARIS, Feb. 14.
Count Buol ought to have reached Strasburg to-day. He
is expected at Paris this evening or to-morrow morning.
Count Cavour arrived at Lyons to-day, which place he was
to leave immediately for Paris.
Aali Pasha left Constantinople the day before yesterday. It
is thought he cannot arrive at Paris before the 22nd inst.
It is supposed that the conferences will not open before
Thursday next.

Wno CAUSED THE DEATH OF TEN THOUSAND BRITISH
SOLDIERS.—The Times is doing service in reference to the
Crimean report. It says :—ln this report many specific
charges are made against many officers—among others, against
the Earl of Lucan, the Earl of Cardigan, Sir Richard Airey,
and Colonel Gordon. The representations made by Ministers
in the two Houses of Parliament in palliation of the conduct
of their chief military agents are now proved to have been
totally untrue. The fatuous gossip of " good society," and
of the fierce old gentlemen in the clubs, has been duly weighed
in the balance, and may now be estimated at its proper worth.
The fact simply is, that between them the chief English
officers in the Crimea destroyed one-third of the army com-
mitted to their care. Three-fourths of the misery and starva-
tion, and suffering from cold and want of clothing, to make
no mention of the absolute annihilation of our splendid
cavalry, must be referred to the gross incapacity of the officers
in chief command. These gentlemen are now strutting
about our streets with all the halo of heroism around their
heads ; they are receiving rewards from foreign sovereigns ;
they are promoted to honours and dignities at home, as though
they had not done sufficient mischief in the East, and as if the
past were to be slurred over and forgotten. By all means, if
the Earls of Lucan and Cardigan, and if Sir Richard Airey
and Colonel Gordon are falsely accused, let Sir John M`Neill
and Colonel Tulloch, and all the officers and soldiers they
examined, be covered with confusion. If, on the other hand,
they are proved guilty of negligence, incapacity, of gross unfit-
ness for command —if it can be shown that the greatest share
of the destruction which fell upon the British army before
Sebastopol was due to their unofficerlike administration
of their important trust, by the consequences they must
abide. Fair play for all. But there is fair play for the
dead as well as for the living. The blood of ten thousand
gallant veterans—the flower, of the English army—as true
heroes as Lord Lucan or Lord Cardigan, or as Sir R. Airey,
or Colonel Gordon, cries from the ground for justice. The
House of Peers is the highest court of judicature in the realm
—we solemnly admonish them, in the name of the English
people, how they prejudge this cause. Lord Panmure rose
after the two officers accused in the character of the " avvo-
eat° del diavolo ;"—he was sure, for his part, that the com-
missioners had not the slightest intention of attacking the
character of the noble earls ; and, on the whole, he was for
treating the popular clamour with suitable contempt. Lord
Derby, who followed, with characteristic boldness, harped
upon the theme, "Are the two lords accused to have an oppor-
tunity offered to them for making a public defence ?" By all
means. The conclusion of the discussion was simply puerile.
The decorations and honours which have been bestowed upon
the Earls of Lucan and Cardigan have, we are told, been given
to them, not for their success—not for their qualifications, as
generals—but for personal bravery in face of the enemy.
Were these noble lords private dragoons, and had they been
rewarded with a shilling a-day of extra pay, this would be well
enough, but from generals other and very different qualities
are required than mere personal courage. Even so, without
meaning to cast the shadow of an imputation upon the gal-
lantry of the Earl of Lucan, we know not that in the Crimea
his heroism was put to the test. When the charge of the
heavy brigade took place at Balaclava, most rightly, this gene-
ral was not seen flourishing his sabre in the van of his divi-
sion. As far as the Earl of Cardigan is concerned, in the
famous charge of the light brigade, every man there present did
his duty ; nor, when the fatal order was once given, did Lord
Cardigan do more than any private soldier who rode over that
bloody field. It is sufficient honour that he was one of that
band of heroes. There are no persons so profoundly inter-
ested in the due prosecution of the inquiry to which the
Crimean report must give rise as the upholders of our present
military system. If they make common cause with officers
whose incapacity for military command has been proved, they
prejudge the case against themselves. Years must elapse ere
we can replace the legions of veteran soldiers who died-victims
to the " system"—and the "system" remains in full force.

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

TUESDAY.
Their Lordships met at two o'clock.
THE WENSLEYDALE PEERAGE.

The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Pri-
vileges on the patent of the Wensleydale Peerage,
Lord LYNDHURST stated what would be the immediate
course of proceeding. Various precedents would be produced
in evidence ; he should then propose that those documents
from the records be translated and printed, so as to be regu-
larly before the House.

11ir. H. G. SuinrE, Assistant• Beeper of the Rolls, was
called to the bar, and produced the original patents of creation
of two peerages of the reign of Richard ll.—Gniscard D'Angle,
created Earl of Huntingdon • and De Vere, Earl of Oxford,
created Marquis, and then Duke of Dublin. He gave in a list
of several others, which have been printed in the series of
national records containing the patents of peerage. The pa-
tent of the Earl of Huntingdon was almost illegible from age
and discoloration, and the witness read the contents of the
parchment roll from the printed volume of the records. The
creation of this Peer was for life. The patent of the Earl of
Oxford was also a creation for life only. Mr. Sharpe was
reading the latter patent when he was interrupted by Lord
Ellenborough, who requested him to read clearly and slowly,
as the House could not follow the old law Latin when read
rapidly.
The interruption gave rise to an irregular conversation of
some length. The LORD CnANcELLou said it was not the
practice to read such documents at length ; all that was ne-
cessary was to give them in. It would be convenient to accele-
rate the proceedings as much as possible, as he knew it was
the intention of Lord Wensleydale, as soon as his illness per-
mitted him, to present himself and demand admission to his
seat in the house.

Lord CAMPBELL gave notice that if he did so before the
Committee of Privileges had come to its decision, he would
move that Lord Wensleydale be refused admission, whether
he presented himself on his writ of summons without the
patent or not.

The LORD CHANCELLOR contended that the Royal writ of
summons was the legal authority, and, receiving that writ
from the Crown, Lord Wensleydale was bound to obey it.
Lord Sr. LEONARD'S had no doubt that was the case with a
general writ of summons, but not if it was founded on a
patent of first creation, on which the Peer claimed only a life
estate. If the patent were only for life, the opinion of the
House must be taken.

Earl GREY recalled the attention of the Committee to the
business before it—the production of documents by the wit-
ness at the bar. It was a waste of time to read the Latin
text of these old patents, as they had all been printed by pub-
lic authority, were known to every one, and easily accessible.
He suggested that some person versed in such matters should
be named to assist Lord Lyndhurst in selecting such extracts
as were required ; they might be printed, laid before the
House, and then Lord Lyndhurst could move a distinct resolu-
tion upon them.

Lora BROUGHAM concurred with Earl Grey. The conver-
sation was very irregular, and expedition was necessary.
The course suggested by Earl Grey was finally adopted, and
Lord Brougham and Lord Campbell undertook to assist Lord
Lyndhurst in the selection of documentary evidence. A list
of patents in several reigns and of soils of Parliament to be so
examined was then put in and read, and Lord LYNDHURST
proposed that the committee should adjourn till Monday.
Lord CAMPBELL thought notice should be given to Sir J.
Parke of the proceedings, that he might attend and be heard
before the Committee, if he thought fit.
The LORD CH4NCELLOR stated that, as it did not appear
that the question had been in any way referred to the House
by the Crown, Lord Wensleydale would not acknowledge the
jurisdiction of the committee.
Earl GREY pressed on Lord Lyndhurst and the Peers who
acted with him the necessity of stating what was the distinct
and definite course they intended the committee to pursue.
Those who had called the committee were bound to do so.
The precedents they were producing were admitted, and
matters of notoriety.
The Earl of DERBY said that, as the house, in committee,
was acting judicially, it could not proceed without having the
documents regularly before it.
The Earl of ABERDEEN pointed out that the inconvenience
foreseen from going into a Committee of Privileges had
already arisen, and that, in fact, they had been compelled to
appoint what had been at first proposed—a Select Committee.
After some further conversation, the committee adjourned
till Monday, at two o'clock, when the evidence was to be
ready.
The house having resumed,
_ _

Lord CAMPBELL' moved that notice be given to Sir J.
Parke, that he might attend and be heard before the com-
mittee, either by himself or his counsel, if he thought proper
to do so. If he appeared in person, he might sit on and speak
from the woolsack.
The Lord CHANCELLOR said such an order must be issued ;
not to Sir J. Parke, but to Lord Wensleydale; the house
could not question the right of the Crown by refusing him
his title.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE also thought that any order
must be addressed to Sir J. Parke as Lord Wensleydale.
On the suggestion of Lord REDESDA.LE, that Lord Wensley-
dale could not according to precedent be called on to appear
in person,

Lord dAxtrnELL withdrew his motion, but gave notice he
should renew it on Thursday next, in a modified form. He
should move that notice be given to Sir J. Parke of the pro-
ceedings of the committee, that he might be heard before it
by his counsel.
The house then adjourned during pleasure.

At 5 o'clock, it re-assembled.
In presenting a petition from merchant seamen, complain-
ing of the state of the law by which they are compelled to sail
in unseavrorthy vessels, Lord ELLtNBOROUGII asked if the
Government intended to bring in any measure on the sub-
ject. Lord STANLEY of ALDEELEY said no measure of the
kind was at present contemplated.
The house adjourned at twenty minutes after five o'clock.

THURSDAY.

The house met at five o'clock.

THE MORMONITES.—Lord REDESDALE presented a peti-
tion from the city of Worcester, complaining of the blas-
phemous, immoral, and obscene doctrines promulgated by a
class of persons styling themselves "Latter-Day Saints," and
praying that a law should be passed to repress the promulga-
tion of such doctrines.—Lord CAMPBELL observed that there
was no occasion for any new law, as the existing law was suffi-
cient to prevent the publication of doctrines injurious to public
morals.—Lord REDESDALE said, the present petition had
arisen from the circumstance of the Mayor of Worcester hav-
ing refused to interfere, on the ground that Mormonites were
Protestant Dissenters.

THE FERMOY PEERAGE.--A coversation took place on a
point of privilege involved in the recent creation of an Irish
peerage, the Barony of Fermoy.—The Earl of DERBY con-
tended that the government in creating this peerage had
given a new interpretation to the Act of Union, which pro-
vides that no Irish peer shall be created till three of those
existing shall have become extinct. One peer might hold
three or more baronies, but the act did not intend that the
extinction of those dignities, by the demise of one individual,
was to be considered legal ground for a new creation. He
thought it unfortunate that the government should, in two
distinct cases, have raised a question between the House and
the Crown that had never before been mooted. He wished to
know in what mode the point could be fairly argued before
the Committee of Privileges.—Earl GRANVILLE said the
peerage had been created under the advice of the law officers
of the Crown. There was something unusual in the state of
the elections of Irish peers ; however well qualified a peer
might be for a seat in that house, unless he had the support
of the Earl of DERBY, he would not have the slightest chalice
of obtaining it.—The Earl of DERBY denied having any such
influence; it was a matter that rested with, the Irish peers
themselves. But the house was in this case bound to consider
the validity of the patent on which Baron Fermoy claimed the
right to vote in the election of an Irish peer.—Lord BROUGHAM
and Lord CAMPBELL concurred in the opinion that the Com-
mittee of Privileges had the same jurisdiction in the case of
Baron Fermoy as in that of Lord Wensleydale, though the
former was brought before them only on petition. It was
suggested that an advocate should be named to watch the case
on behalf of the house ; the subject then dropped.

Earl GRAN VILLE introduced a bill for the purpose of pro-
moting education in England and Wales, which was read a
first time.

The Trial of Offences Bill was passed through committee
pro forma", in order that some amendments might be intro-
duced and the bill be reprinted.
UNSEAWORTHY VESSELS.—The Earl Of ELLENBOBOUGH,
in presenting a petition from certain merchant seamen, com-
plaining of being obliged by law to go to sea in unseaworthy
vessels, stated the manner in which the law bore hard on this
class, and suggested that in every case of wreck an inquiry
into the causes of it ought to be instituted. He thought
a select committee should be appointed to consider the
subject.—Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY read the legal opinion
which had been obtained on the question by the government,
which he had no doubt would influence the decisions of
magistrateA in seaports, and pointed out the difficulties that
would arise if seamen could in all cases of leaving a ship plead
that it was not seaworthy.
The house adjourned at half-past six o'clock.

FRIDAY.

The house met at five o'clock.

THE PARLIAMENT CLOCK.—LordEGLINTOUN called atten-
tion to the dial of the clock tower of the new houses of parlia-
ment, and asked if all the dials were to be marked with such
hieroglyphics as the one put up, as in that case the public
would not be much the wiser as to the time of day. He hoped
the figures would be made modern and intelligible, instead of
being medieval, and much the reverse. He had also heard
that the tower had been built without providing the means of
raising the clock and bells. The public, therefore, were likely
to have a dial that could not be read, a clock that would not
go, and bells that could not be rung.—Earl GRANVILLE, in
reply, read a letter from Sir Charles Barry, in which he says :
—" The clearness of the numerals is of little importance, if
their position is clearly defined within some definite form that
will duly correspond with the point of the hour hand. The
clearness of the division of the minutes is really of the only
great importance; and you will see, therefore, that au unusual
prominence is given to the minute hand for that purpose.

. .
UNCONSECRATED CEMETERIES.—Lord BROUGHAM pre-
sented a petition from Carlisle on the subject of burials in
burial grounds not consecrated.—The Bishop of EXETER
denied that Dissenters had any cause for complaint if the
bishop had refused to consecrate the ground till it should be
put in a fit condition, according to the laws of the Church, to
be consecrated, or if a place of sepulture was set apart for those
who were not members of the Church.

MINISTER OF EDUCATION.
Earl GRA.NVILLE moved the second reading of the Vice-
President of the Committee of Council of. Education Bill.
The Earl of DERBY thought that the time had arrived when
there should be a separate department established especially
charged with the education of the country. Probably the mode
proposed by his noble friend of carrying out the proposition
was the best that could be adopted; that was to say, the
appointment of a subordinate minister in the other house, or
in their lordships' house, if the president of the Council hap-
pened to be in the House of Commons, to represent the depart-
ment, on the same principle as the Board of Trade was repre-
sented. But if the time had arrived for charging a responsible
minister with the duties of instruction, was it not also time to
supersede the privy council altogether in this matter, and to
make the minister really and in fact responsible for the educa-
tion of the people ? The president of the Council had various
other duties to perform ; and he was not sure, although heavy
duties no doubt devolved upon the prime minister, that that
high functionary might not very effectually and very satisfac-
torily discharge the duties which fell upon the president of the
Council, provided that the matter of education was withdrawn

[FEBRUARY 19, 1856•

FE .

Itt;edand the
'tati"t he th
from the Council. He had a strong feeling that the a fed
s 4,41
i. woh ui :hi
president eaea ALIA a sel
of a minister of instruction at the present momen"frool tildekoe, a!
desirable; that the subject should be altogether se insiteicli 'llathe
the privy council; and that the duties of the
Council might be attached to those of the minister now ty 4,7 tr a brief
the first lord of the treasury, who might be relieved frel'' 6,
nominal duties connected with the treasury. This, bowerto lie to asi
would open a very large question, into which he was 11:01, Storo
tuotion
present prepared to enter. He had no objection to tl' cier- ittl , ughs)
the second reading of which had just been proPosed' tin tof Zliktialatel
standing that its object was to render the departinenige ki,!. Joint. 4
education a substantial office, presided over by a resP°oo, ,',,tee.
minister; and he said upon this, as upon most other questio -4hoase a
that a single responsible minister was much more e6,ce Ir
than a board, however respectable and able the mernbcr' ° pet.
stituting that board might be. Boar 4 iliona a
Lord MONTEAGLE questioned the efficiency of the 131,, el lizi Palace
Education, as the business supposed to be managed by t'"ge ili "I!lglete
officio members was really conducted by subordinates• to kOttton,
rejoiced that in this case an approach had been IT'rbde„oo. kr, , from
better system. The time had arrived for making the rre,,',o p,'f!141,. his, L
sibility of the education of the people more direct, 313' sClons we
'eti•r t
necting it more closely with parliament. 10 ktb4 1
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH thought the work now thr°o, Tlr 14Y*
on the Council of Education was quite enough for one but V Aatnur
and would be done by one man better than by a board' foie firtiue should
the duties ought to be separated from political interests. ?.;:ei 'tle4 4titil 7
ought not to be entrusted to a man of extreme opinions elP# th the folio
in politics or religion, or on the subject of education its'ella,ol observed v
he held extreme opinions in religion and politics, he Vi°ll,' the coteBPectiv
secure the co-operation of the gentry and clergy tto ttlyial,sm„issi,
country; and, if his opinions. were extreme on ed,ard of kte?,..'"ue C
he would be inclined to sacrifice the labour of the cbuur` ob. 1ii.;,11g3 and
the qeorking classes, indispensable to their families, to the : I.", or ha
4sible
ject of making a literary peasantry. ,it 1 stR office
Earl GREY agreed with the Earl of Ellenborongh t"-tiog 41ed ',II Coll
great fault had been committed by the Council of Educ 3;,, ito ki.Lf her
in requiring too high a standard of literary knowledge '3li, ,It ish steer
schoolmasters and schoolmistresses, to the detriment of ted s, ,r4,llau cob
fications of a more practical and useful kind. He 00%1; clt'll'ea the
the duties of the board being transferred to one indivtoit ;Rtlr gover
but for some years they had very inconsiderately increa6iebeca 14 ng the
number of parliamentary ofF -- -ngno new offices bou ' vo %is 48tralhI

_ —dry k. aces ; many new offices
created, while the old ones had been retained, th 0141,40
duties were attached to them. In this respect the W".
system required revision.
Lord BROUGHAM expressed his satisfaction with the glia:s
sure, and rejoiced that there was at last a prospect of 1,3
a real department of education in this country. f nded
The Marquis of LANSDOWN E and Earl Gueicvxx,Lß de'eder
the principle of making the office of vice-president ere'
tified with the ministry.
The bill was then read a second time.
The House of Commons Offices Bill was read a secoadrtilller;
The Metropolitan Police Bill was read a second time, nit
short discussion, Lord CAMPBELL suggesting the insertion olo•
clause taking from the Secretary of State the power of re
ving police magistrates at pleasure. tP
Lord PANMURE laid on the table two letters, addrese`,to
him by the Earl of Cardigan and Lord Lucan, in referer'oe
the report of the Government Commission of Inquiry zn
Crimea, and moved that they be printed.
The house adjourned at twenty minutes past seven.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

TUESDAY. tulle
Mr. WALPOLE took the oaths and his seat for the u- •,
sity of Cambridge, and Mr. RIDLEY for Newcastle. ce $
A new writ was ordered for Leominster, in conseeluol
the death of Mr. Arkwrlght.
the t°
CONWAY AND LLANDUDNO ROAD BILL.—On
rod
that this bill be read a second time, Colonel lisloir op bell
the second reading on the ground that a line of railwal ')lr
to be completed rendered a new road unnecessary.--31.00.
CARTNEY offered to postpone the second reading nntul-of
day.—Mr. FITZROY hoped the bill would be allowed of
before a select committee.—On a division, the second res
was carried by 181 to 42.
In answer to a question whether it was true that the OS;
sentative of the Sardinian government had been eiclot
from the conferences at Constantinople, and, if so, o 0
11,4
account, Lord PALMERSTON said that the confer' tot
related not to matters connected with the treaty of peac,e' tbe
to arrangements for the settlement of the question as ttt
rights and privileges of the non-Mussulman subjects 0
Porte. A tY
Mr. EWART obtained leave to bring in bill to eateau es
provisions of the Scottish Municipal Reform Act to oi
tain royal burghs in Scotland now excluded from the belie
of that act,
LAW REFORM.—Mr. NAPIER moved the following 111'
tion :—" That, as a measure of administrative reform, r'dt
sion should be made for an efficient and responsibleci
partment of public justice, with a view to
„Eeriir,
the skilful preparation and proper structure of ratol
liamentary bills, and promote the progressive amendole'd
the laws of the united kingdom." He first urged the illa&ii
tude of the evil, the state of our legislation, which he dev/1
to be disgraceful to a civilized country, three Eystete' to
law going on at the same time. He next advert
the successful attempts at codification by other Daitl ill;
ancient and modern, and to the suggestions ati,"l"
efforts of English law reformers from. the time of dcli,
Bacon, for ridding the statute-book of obsolete ;fot
for consolidating and simplifying the existing laws, a° nr
improving the current legislation. The confusion and mis;,-pe
attending our sessional legislation he attributed to the r0.e14
in which bills embodying the views of individual members ".„11
brought in and carried through the house ; and the °:er
remedy for these evils, which entailed upon the country e,),4
mous expense, as well as legal perplexities and inconvenie!'3
of various kinds, was, he said, the constitution of a partirol
department, presided over by a wise and enlightened TiedeWhigh standing, with a proper staff, whose duty it should
~ fi
let
watch over the course of legislation;and to superinteau4
framing of measures. He proposed that the departnare'iy
public justice should occupy itself with all these objects,' 41
amendment of the old law, the superintendence of the C,334
legislation, and the working of the general law, so as to 301
it consistent, uniform, clear, and intelligible.—Mr. 101,
said the house and the country were greatly indebted t 0
Napier for having brought forward this important sat) eri
He (Mr. Baines) had long observed and lamented the state t 0
the statute law; there was, indeed, a concurrent opinion le,
the existence of the evil and the necessity of a speedy re°'ol4
and the only question was what that remedy should be.
question whether or not it was desirable on public gr°,:gr,
that there should be some authority to assist in the prer ot
tion of measures of legislation had occupied the attenti°;,lo
the Statute Law Commissioners, who had prepared 3
,ce
which would shortly be laid before the Crown and the DV
and he suggested whether it was not desirable that this
—filled up, and not a mere outline—by such high authorl 0
00l
should be seen by the house before it adopted a resolute °''
an indefinite character, and which pledged the house to
g 0
at all.—Sir G. GREY said he hoped, as the governments tV
in the spirit of the motion, Mr. Napier would not, after ,o
speech of Mr. Baines, ask the house to express an opinion '"or
a resolution as to the mode in which his object should he)
ried out, and which was under the consideration of the lot
and learned men who composed the Statute Law Comzoissdo
—Lord J. RUSSELL did not think that the resolution svas,:tY
to the objection of Mr. Baines. It pointed out men t 1
principle to be adopted; but, after what had been 010
members of the government, he thought the house cool do
adopt the resolution.—Lord PAL3IERSTON said this 0p1e5,41',
no doubt, was one of the deepest importance; at the same l't
however plausible the proposition to appoint a MinistV
Justice, he thought many who had adopted the notion ha%)
made themselves acquainted with the functions of s''',i;
minister, which were more difficult than might be suplV
and ought to be well considered before the house assent, tal
the resolution. One function would be to direct the legit 93.00
of the house. No idoubt, laws were passed which contalef
errors, but he doubted whether the appointment of a °lel
ber of, the government would altogether prevent the l' j
rence of such mistakes; for it could not be expected that le'ff
vidual members would forego and surrender to the gocoi
ment their right to introduce bills. With respect to all°,ls
function—that of reforming existing legislation—it seetll7
have escaped notice that great progress had been alreadY °jot'
of late years in that direction. Mr. Baines had stated of,
the Statute Law Commissioners were engaged upon the `',o4i
sideration of a plan which might go far to meet the vie°lls
Mr. Napier, and he thought that gentleman would do ojf
waive his resolution for the present. After some further)
cussion, Mr. NAPIER proposed to modify the resolutioll,oo
Sir G. GREY having suggested the omission of the words 4'
efficient and responsible department of public justice," the
solution in that shape was agreed to. ,
CARDIGAN BAY.—Mr. L. DAVIES moved for a seleot ,,,,r
mittee to inquire into the advisability of constructing a vril
bour of refuge aad defence in Cardigan Bay, and whetileti
may not be advantageous also to employ convict labour illopli
said works. He supported his motion in a speech of 6,;00,
length and full of statistics.—Sir C. WOOD opposed the nto,'"
on the ground that it would be undesirable to construct o.`',D,
hour of refuge in Cardigan Bay, and a misapplication 0t ,t!
public money.—Mr. Davies replied, and after s few remark,,,,'Mr. Wynne and Mr. Philipps, the motion was negatived '''
a division by 118 to 44.
~, ti!
TTIE MONETARY SYSTEM.—Mr. MuNTz said, as his - °t ri
'upon this subject was to be opposed by the governme°o"es
should not bring it on at that late hour, but would postP°
till Thursday, the 21st inst.
, ,
ADULTERATION OF FOOD, &c.—On the motion 0-f .0.
Scholefield, a select committee was ordered to be apP°'
on the adulteration of food, drinks, and drugs.
JUSTICES OF PEA.CII.—Mr. Colville obtained leave to 14
in a bill to amend the laws relating to the qualificatilo
justices of the peace, At present justices of the peace nt°,!,oo
possessed of £lOO a year in real property, and his objeey
to extend the right to persons possessed of personal pro}
to the same amount. _ .

The house adjourned at half-past eleven o'clock.

WEDNESDAY.
Petitions against the opening of exhibitions ou Sot o
were presented by Mr. Horsfall, from the inhabitssw ,
St. Andrew's District, Liverpool, and the congre,,atiotty
Christchurch, St. Saviour's Church, St. Thomas's: TogiLf
park, Independent chapel, Christchurch, Waterloo,
cashire.

THE PAROCHIAL SYSTEM.
The Marquis of BLANDFORD, in moving for leave tj°,;:',
introduce his bill of last session for the formation and ell
meat of separate and distinct parishes, described the oriV
parochial status of this country, the object of which, he OA
was to create centres of union and of ministerial activitPti
whole connected and formed into one system by a boiltset:
brotherhood. It was of the last importance, he thol2
that this system should be rendered as perfect as Pe'sr
Recent subdivisions of parishes by the Church Buildiattiel
other acts had introduced anomalies and defects ; dig or
were formed under these acts with different incidents ;11.04
this diversity produced confusion in our parochial lam"
which much complication and great inconveniences arose4co
was the purport and scope of this bill to remedy these Ili tlt,
and anomalies, by providing, under the authority °.
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, for the constitution 0'),01"
parishes, for modifying endowments, for appropriating elii6j
for sites of churches, and for other incidental arranger/Igo'
He explained the leading features and many of the de?cill
the measure, and invited the house to agree to its PI, tO
since it introduced, he said, no change inconsistent
ecclesiastical law of the country. }0i1;
Mr. ti C f'
Mr. HADFIELD resisted the further progress of --1
being opposed to its principle. He complained of tbeloolc
mous powers it conferred upon the ecclesiastical co'. 00
sioners, and urged various objections to the measure '4or
Nonconformist point of view. He moved to defer the 5`
reading for six months. 00
iOOO
Sir G. GREY said, although the bill had been brought vio
the responsibility of Lord Blandford, without the Pl,.e,
sanction of the Crown, its object was of such imports' '10i195
the principle (so far as it could be extracted from the de
that of providing for a more efficient subdivision of larS. oP
populous parishes, so well deserved the attention of Para"

instito t7:leit,h. ought it would be wrong to refuse to read the bill a
omentfroo kt 4 e
ofL,%rn hei as Lord Blaudford had consented that the details,
crated
eh required much consideration, should be dis-
dent ofd dad
a select committee.
now A 4yr a brief discussion, Mr. Hadfield withdrew his amend-
ed from to.
'l4' 54(1 the bill was read a second time and ordered to be
hower" rreiLl to
et The a select committee.
was t4l notion for the second reading of the Police (Counties
troughs) Bill •
having met with some opposition, Sir G.
to 11111tuately consented to defer it for a fortnie•ht.
parstin_e.,esitbre :I:,doint-Stock Banks (Scotland) Bill passed through
re Plio, keee•
r ques house adjourned at three o'clock.
Ire eigcle..

FEBRUARY 19, 1856.]

obey"

Board 4
Li by tbellst
sates. tot
7.. a
the resr,,
t, and "
now throb
or one 01„.,
roard. ,rt
Tests. le,:
lions einiff
.4. If.
e wool" ty
•ot
L edne3`fl
5, t
OhO
oLara,

ugh tbtio;
Edue",
pledge Tio
nt of fed
re 4p.ro A,
indiv
ereasec!';
bt
i
bad 1)70
the

th the 11/.6,4.
t of ball

defen•• ded
„c i 46/

,ecod do*
n „Do
' e a'"fo
; of rfw.

(Iciresfec toil/
referevcem
airy i°

she 3'lll'
sequelle.

the ni J°l"l°
ox 017b00
)11:
00.
,
until I'
:owed tc°o
)nd re

,t the rePdr;
n eicl„%ll
so, 01)
confere"tat
f peace, tte
3n as t°
jects 0f
d tV
extol
ket to 40
the beseP

his 10,
rumen ell
postpoli
on of 3
apPo'
ivf
ye to lb
ce 0, ,t 0
object rd
al pro}

Sid
ibitaoti
'o2tioosty
7 1.01,e0y
rloo,

THURSDAY.
;slil,l',,erls against the opening of the British Museum and
tik n_ralace on Sundays were presented by Mr. Tollemache,
4 tigitton, Parkgate, Winsford, Weston, Church Mins-
k:2,l'4ton, Wybunbury, and Northwich ; and by Mr.
pir, from the congregations of St. Bartholomew's and
I p7jllaa's, Liverpool ; and from Claughton, Cheshire. .
qms were also presented against the total abolition of
i, Tates, by Mr. Tollemache, from Woodchurch and Wy-
Ory
14. '
g: AUNT IN THE CRIMEA.—Mr. LAYAID gave notice
fey should defer his motion on the state of the army in the
qta, until Thursday, the 28th inst., and that he should ap-
L'he following addition to his motion :-.." That this house
jl.l4erved with regret that those officers whose conduct in
(I,7BPective departments has been shown by the report of
itt'Jomission of Inquiry into the Supplies of the British
Culi the Crimea to have occasioned great and unnecessary
lles and losses in that army have received honours and
,or have been sppointed to, and are still holding, re-
1e ()faces in the public service."
4.4 f COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA--Mr.BA.XTER
141.,1 her Majesty's government were taking steps to re-
!,4t'L3h steam communication between this country and the
ttNratian. colonies ; and, if not, what were the obstacles which
Vented them doing so.—Mr. LABOUCITERE :lam in hopes
k`
ieltale government have taken steps which will be effectual
't dig the postal communication between this country and
kVistralian colonies upon a satisfactory and permanent
14 The details of that arrangement are fully explained in
,
tliblsilt'Y minute which has been distributed this morning,
, 'e 'louse will, therefore, not expect me to give more than
kii'llltlines of the plan. Tenders were issued for a monthly
:.!'laication between this country and Australia, half the
use of which will be borne by the mother country. and
•k,„°Y the colony, Steamers are to touch at King George's
~,,".1, Melbourne, and Sydney, and there will be branch
iw'tl3ces for Port Adelaide, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
21aa.na,ND CARGOES FOR RUSSIAN PORTS.—Mr. J. C.
.161,'I: I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether
fklbe Lawful to despatch British ships with cargoes to Bus-
qj Parts Pits during the armistice which is about to be concluded,
,o that case, would articles contraband of war--such as
qtone_, lead, and saltpetre—be exempt from such permis-
lkiitef shipping. If the sailing of British ships be unlawful,
iti,,‘ foreign ships be chartered for the purpose, or whether
. .ao -
am ~ek ade of Russian ports will be soon re-established.—
," rAIXBRSTON : I should strongly recommend any persons
kriilll4Y wish to engage in such undertakings as are described
Oki? !too. friend's question to wait until they see whether an
tiostlce is concluded, and, if so, what are the nature and con-
, th,rl3 of that armistice. (Cheers and laughter.)
,:'!T ON FIRE INSURANCE.—Mr. SCIIOLEFIELD had been
ed that a fire insurance-office, having its central office in
~,ee, had held out au inducement to persons in this country
kleet insurances against fire with them, by promising them
Vsnuption from the policy stamp and insurance duty. He
0 to know whether the attention of the Chancellor of the
`equer had been called to this subject, as it affected the
ace companies of this country and the revenue.—The
, Itearzon of the ExcREQuEn : My attention has been
4 to the subject with.reference to an insurance office called
France, established in France. My belief is that up to the
lit time no evasion of the insurance duty, deserving of
thn,eeaaideration, has taken place, but my attention has been
'acted to the subject, and if I find that it may be necessary,
ik" Purpose of protecting the revenue, that I should submit
akeksure on the subject in this house, I shall not fail to do so
ellever see that the necessity has arisen.
hp c,lsorlnkrrox OF STATUTES.—Sir F. KELLY, in moving
Mleave to bring in a bill to consolidate the statute law
143 to offences against the person, stated that this was
ipi
'tzi 01 a series of bill for the consolidation of the entire
llte law of England,s which he hoped, if he was encouraged
iti,lPported by the house, would accomplish an object that
ki aaherto baffled many eminent law reformers. What he
a,Dosed to do was, not to codify, bat simply to consolidate
14, atatute law as it now existed in the statute-book. This
!!gas now comprised in 35 or 40 large folio volumes, con-
lat.". about 20,000 acts, and he proposed to subdivide and
13,'""/ the whole of the subjects, and to re-enact the existing
relating to each in one act, so that the statute-book, in-
ttpl,lo( 20,000 acts, would contain 200 or 300 only, each act
T° o, fine' the whole statute law upon one particular subject.
ki'C'W the necessity of a work of this kind, he observed that
~conclition of the statute law was such that judges and
tyt'''„ eYs, as well as parties, in order to ascertain the written
a:Pon any given subject, were obliged either to rely upon
book, or to go through the whole 4.0 volumes, of 1,000
k ' each, in order to find out what statute, or statutes, or
No
V nS of statutes, bore upon the subject. This was but one
la-211Y evils. When a bill was introduced into parliament,
141 Z, the framer had a perfect knowledge of the whole sta-
lor with reference to the subject matter, he might in-
t,t e the existing perplexity and confusion. Distinguishing
4ttia
4);(feen codification and consolidation of the entire written
p4ilkwhich he deemed not only practicable, but easy,) the
th,t,jle Proposed to adopt, he said, was to take one, two, or
fee r
the most important, and at the same time most
Ith"tar subjects, and to embody in one law all the statutes,
,14:iarts of statutes, relating to each ; then to take up other
mA426, and thus by degrees to eiminate all the existing
utes, substituting one law for each particular subject. He
le proaosed to deal, first, with the statute law relating to
'shpts against the person ; secondly, with the statute law
ins to bills of exchange and promissory notes, the sub-
tat te_,f the two bills he wished now to introduce. Premising
ttpi L. 115 intention was to confine this process to England, he
Oined the manner in which be proposed to deal with sta-
itt7l3 not of a public and general nature, and with revenue
Ott
other classes of legislation, he proceeded to consider
i '4,,,T should be done with respect to future and current
lil„ ation. He assumed that there must be some officer
Ittoard authorised by, both Houses of Parliament to
44,0 over and superintend all hills for amending
6.4.411,11pr0ving the law, so as to make it consist and
4,,,011i5e with the consolidated Law, and he thought it would
b'e's33' to devise a modus operandi by which the end might
tilt erected. He pledged himself, if he was encouraged. to
a.,;._ ace the other bills, most carefully to superintend and
ktitqL! their preparation, and to employ in the operation none
the most competent men. He concluded with some reflec-
tatiZYPon the difficulties which beset all attempts at a codifi-
ki;?, Of the common law.—The motion was seconded by Lord
kii7,_eY, who remarked deg; in law reform what had been
iocZag was a sufficient ee of popular interest out of
16:, The difficulty had arisen not so much from actual
lati7tes as from a deficiency of impellin force. calcu-
NO of Sir F. Kelly, that his process of consolidation would
kot'") the statute-book to one-eighth of its present bulk, was
the,ll. his opinion, exaggerated. Admitting the validity of
Ittilßlaction drawn from the difficulties created by current
kit ation, it was no argument against the consolidation of
ttlt legislation and the clearing the statute-book of its present
keinilrobrances.—After some discussion, in which several
*al hers took part, leave was given to bring in this bill, as
,(change a bill to consolidate the statute law relating to bills of
1,1 and promissory notes.
teb a IRISH JUDGES.—A motion, by Sir J. Shelley. for a
40411 respecting the judges of the superior courts of law in
tr),!icl, in which he drew the attention of the house to the
hltion of !certain of those judges, who, he said, were inca-
th ta
,Itted by age and infirmity, led to an animated discussion,
% ~eich Lord Palmerston, Sir G. Grey, and the Attorney-
the,;' 411 supported the motion. An amendment to leave out
h,Words 'in Ireland" was negatived by 134 to 120. The
r 1 question was then put, and upon a second division it
t,earried by 132 to 121.
hfr• Ti. King obtained leave to bring in a bill to consolidate
144.4aaend te laws relating to the summary jurisdiction of
oces of the peace.
ih4 the motion of Mr. J. Phillimore, the committee on the
Tiiuttnent of public prosecutors was re-appointed.
‘ltr C. Napier postponed his motion for the appointment of
ti,ect committee to inquire into the operations of the British
The the Baltic, in 1854, and 1855, until a future day.
e Rouse adjourned at half-past twelve o'clock.

ta • FRIDAY.
kh._etitions were presented against opening the Britisl
From and the Crystal Palace, on Sunday, by Mr. Horsfall,
the congregations of St. Mary's Church, Kirkdale, Tri-
thh Wesleyan
Liverpool, St. George's Church, Everton ; from
k Meeting-houses in Great Horner-street and
11(Z-street, Liverpool ; from the Wesleyan inhabitants of
few?. Lancashire ; and from a public meeting of the inhabi-
e" of Toxteth-park, Liverpool.
lArtinerrelts is TURKEY.—In answer to a question whether
to'ultau's recent edicts, granting civil and religious equality
%111 this subjects, abolished the penalty of death upon a Mus-
kean becoming a Christian ; and, if not, whether govern-
-41 Would exert its diplomatic influence to repeal that law,
N.l PALMERSTON said,—The government have received a
t)t,'lPhic communication, stating that certain edicts have
Ng signed by the Sultan, but the edicts themselves have not
tcr,,,teached this country. I will not say what may be the
to;'„1.of those edicts, bat I will assure the house that the
o,ll:Rent have for many years earnestly urged the abolition
tr D
ge Penalty to whicverts and that if it does not
44,Z1 art of that edict,h nohe
exeadrtions; shall be wanting to in-
tb the Sultan to abolish that penalty. At the same time,
440113 e must see that matters relating to religious opinions
I'42reiudices of this kind are very difficult to handle. The
ilcZB have persecuted, until lately, Mussulmans who have
)i.'irtde Christians ; but it must be remembered that in some
1/41,,`"e Italian states Christians have been persecuted who
ij Changed from one sect of that religion to another.
At Illy ON FIRE INsuaxNes.—ln answer to a question
sttLether it was his intention to repeal the duties on fire as-
t()7tce, which it had been stated enabled foreign companies
ft.`llsure at a less premium in consequence of their freedom
44d a similar tax, the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
NIL-sit is not my intention to make any woposal for the
.14, of the duty. In the event of the companies paying that
,!)eing exposed to unfair competition with untaxed poli-
k e't assurance, it will be my duty to bring in a measure of
111,, erent character for the protection of the revenue and
L4terest of those companies which may be subject to that
I)IFFERENCES WITH THE UNITED STATES.
%111 the House of Commons, on the order for going into a
tet ikittee of supply, Mr. ROEBUCK called attention to our
tett`.°ll3 with the United States, premising that his only in-
-11t41,1‘111 was to convey to the house and the nation a correct
141111.ent of facts. Either Mr. Crampton, our minister at
kitcf`l.,ngton, had 'exceeded his instructions—and if so the
,teceL States' Government were justified in demanding his
Ntiir-or his instructions went beyond what the law of the
Illt;ed States permitted, and in that case the apology was (Its-
!etalloils, and ought not to be accepted by the American Go-
gl'h:'ent, which had a right to insist upon the recal of our
ja-16ter. It appeared he said, from published facts, that Mr.
titiTton knew the law; that he took means to evade it ; and
,114 he had been supported by the Governor of Nova Scotia
,iiit;„Lne Governor-General of Canada. He wanted, he said,
ge %;"„etlY to know what were Mr. Crampton's instructions ;
11?t,4 'llted an explanation of the facts, and an expression of
th, ilAathy ou the part of the house towards our brethren across
tio4 L
',.tloantic.Cra pt H
on. me moved an address for a copy of the instruc-
t trd PALMERSTON said the American Government bad
tttuught fit to lay before Congress the correspondence rela-
'4o this question, and the reasons which had induced them
stb, Withhold it had led her Majesty's government to pursue the
e e°'lrss. He had before stated that just previous to the

meeting of parliament a long despatch had been received from
the United States' government, containing a great variety of
statements and assertions touching the conduct of our mi-
nister at Washington and our consuls in the United States,
to which it was impossible to reply without a reference to the
parties concerned; that until that despatch was answered the
government could not lay the correspondence before parlia-
ment ; and for that reason he had declined to enter upon a
discussion of the subject. This state of things still continued;
the materials had not been received that would enable the
government to reply to the despatch which demanded the
recal of our minister ; and the same reason which made it his
duty to withhold the correspondence obliged him to resist this
motion. He trusted, however' that a short time only would
elapse before he should be able to lay the whole of the papers
before parliament. He could not, therefore, follow Mr. Roe-
buck through the details into which he had entered ; all he
should state was, that it had been the desire and the instruction
of the government, from the outset, that nothing should be done
that was at variance with the laws of the United States. During
the course of these transactions repeated offers had been made,
to her Majesty's officers, the sole object of which was to entrap,
them into a violation of the municipal law. The despatch re-
(erred to asserted that there had been a continuance of the
proceedings after they had been said to be countermanded ;
if so, it was against the intention and without the knowledge
of the British government, which, on revoking the orders, had
expressed its regret that anything should have happened con-
trary to the intention of our government to give offence to
that of the United States, and this apology was received by
the American Minister at this Court with the expression of
an opinion that it would be deemed satisfactory by his govern-
ment. Mr. Roebuck knew that this question was pending
between the two governments; that a very short period must
elapse before a final answer would be given ; that this was a
subject deeply interesting to the feelings of two great nations
which should not be trifled with ; and yet he rushed.with im-
patience into a question of so much delicacy, which could only
be settled by a dispassionate discussion, in order to deliver
himself of statements founded upon a brief given by antago-
nists of his own government—making himself the mouthpiece
of calumnies uttered in the United States—calling upon the
house to pronounce an opinion upon a question, of the facts of
which it was utterly ignorant.
Mr. DISRA.ELI said, although he could not support the
motion, he protested against the principle laid down by Lord
Palmerston for the conduct of the members of that house
with respect to foreign transactions and negotiations with
foreign governments. He had always considered it to be the
first duty of a member of parliament to call its attention to
what he thought improper management, and to ask for ex-
planation ; and a minister of the Crown had no right to
taunt an independent member with holding a brief from
the enemy. He responded to the hope expressed by Mr.
Roebuck, that there should be an expression on the part of
that house that would 'assure the subjects of the United
States' Government that this question would be discussed
without prejudice, and that the house would not willingly
defer to rumours in either country. that these questions were
pretexts only for a misunderstanding which, if exasperated,
might have the most calamitous results. He hoped Mr.
Roebuck would not persist in his motion.
The motion was negatived.
SUPPLY.—The house went into Committee of Supply upon
the revenue departments' estimates, when several votes were
agreed to
The CHLNCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER obtained leave to
bring in a bill to amend the act relating to the superannua-
tion of the Civil Service.
Mr. J. FERGUSON obtained leave to bring in a bill to ap-
propriate the income of such one of the canonries of the Cattle,
dral Church of Carlisle as shall next fall vacant to the aug-
mentation of certain ecclesiastical incumbencies in that city.
Leave was given to Mr. WiLsoN to bring in a bill to make
provision for the management of lands belonging to Her Ma-
jesty within the former limits of the late forest of Delamere,
in the county of Chester.
The house adjourned at 20 minutes before 12 o'clock.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE.

A Paris letter says :—There has been latterly going on here
a great discussion as to who was to be the Empress's
accoucheur; she herself having, since our Queen's visit, had a
great desire that it should be Dr. Locock. But the violent
expression of national feeling in the Academie de Medicine
was such, that it is not believed possible that anything of the
kind should be attempted. M. Dubois was sent for the other
day, and told by the Empress that she wished to be confined
under the action of chloroform, which he positively refused to
hear of. How this part of the discussion will end Ido not at
all know ; but the dread of chloroform here is something quite
extraordinary.