The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-06-08 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS-MONDAY.

In reply to Mr. HEADLAM,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the
British engineers, Park and Watt, had been released by
the Neapolitan Government unconditionally, and that
the Sardinian subjects, part of the crew of the Cagliari,
were still detained by that Government. He avoided •
further question, whether the demand for compensation
to the engineers had been conceded by Naples.
Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition from Mr. W.
Wilke, unreservedly retracting the imputation of corrupt
motives. . . _

The petition was ordered to be printed for considera-
tion next day.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
it was resolved that Government orders of the day have
precedence upon Thursdays during the remainder of
the session.

On the order for going into a Committee of Supply,
Lord PALMERSTON rose and said that in the speech
made by Mr. Disraeli on Wednesday before some of his
constituents, which bore evidence of studious delibera-
tion, he had stated that Lord Derby, when he took
office, sucoeeded to innumerable difficulties; a statement
contrary, he observed, to the declaration of Lord Derby
himself, who had said that he found the country in •
satisfactory condition. Mr. Disraeli had further stated
that the question of peace or war was a question not of
weeks or days, but of hours. As far as lie (Lord Palmer-
ston) was informed, that statement, as regarded our rela-
tions with France at that period, was utterly and en-
tirely groundless, and opposite to the truth. Had it
been true, and had it been necessary to make it known,
it should have been published in that Howie on the
army or navy estimates. He called upon Mr. Disraeli
to explain this assertion, as well as that intrigues had
been carried on (by the late Government, he supposed)
to involve Sardinia in a war with Naples for party ob-
jects—an assertion lie utterly denied. With reference
to India, Mr. Disraeli, he said, had been guilty of a libel
upon Her Majesty'a late advisers • he had accused them
or Lord Canning of intending to lid upon • policy of un-
mitigated vengeance and massacre. In speaking of the
state of parties in this country, Mr. Disraeli had talked
of • cabal on the opposite side of the House in order to
upset the present Government. A cabal meant • body
few in number; but lie should like to know, he said, to
whom Mr. Disraeli alluded when he spoke of intrigues
and cabals. The late Government had acted towards
their successors with uncommon forbearance, and he de-
nied that they obtained information on foreign affairs,
as seemed to be implied, by unoonstitutional means. He
wished to know who the foreign intriguers were who
caballed with the late Government to eject their maces-
sora—a charge he entirely repudiated. Mr. Disraeli, he
remarked, had attacked the press; he (Lord Palmer-
ston) left the press to defend itself; but when lie said
that there were some candidates for office under the late
Administration who contributed to the press, he (Lord
Palmerston) would like to know whether there were
none on the other side of the House who had con-
tributed to The Press for the purpose of getting into
office. _ _

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, after express•
ingi hope that, in this seoond encounter, his fate would
be less unfortunate than that of a party in a recent duel
in France, proceeded to reply seriatim to the objections
of Lord Pahnerston. With respect to the date of our
foreign relation* when the present Government entered
upon office, he denied that he had stated that we
were then on the verge of war, and he did not mean
that the late Government had left affairs in that state.

We"' ;;;;;;;ed.''.w.arhe"..iz---iva---.;,;--"TirTci;i
regarding the affair of the Cagliari, observing that Lord '
Palmerston had taken to himself and his colleagues
what he had stated on this mulled. That there had
been an attempt to embroil Sardinia and Naples, and to
excit a war between those two Italian States, which
might have been fatal to constitutional government in
Sardinia, was his conviction. He reiterated also the
explanation he had given on Friday regarding India.
Lord Palmerston had represented that he had called
the Opposition a cabal, which meant (he had said) •
limited body of individuals. But he (Mr. Disraeli)
always understood that the term meant • secret sooicty
of conspirators; so that he could not have meant the
House of Commons, and he was certain that he had
never talked of • cabal in that House. Entering then
upon a criticism of the measures and policy of the late
Government, Mr. Disraeli tried them by the principles
of the great Liberal party, insisting that there could be
no connection or sympathy between Lord Palmerston
and his friends and that party.
Sir G. GREY denied that there was anything unfair
on the part of Lord Palmerston in demanding explana-
tions of gross imputations of misconduct cast upon the
Administration of which he had been the head. The
explanations then given by Mr. Disraeli, he contended,
were inconsistent with those he had offered on Friday,
and it was humiliating, he said, to see a gentleman of
his talents driven to such unworthy shifts and attempt-
ing to explain away indiscretions in such a manner.
Sir J. ?ARINGTON entered his protest against what ap-
peared to h.m to be a most unpardonable waate of the
public time.
Lord J. ROWELL could not agree that these dis-
cussions were a waste of time. He proceeded at seine
length to show that the explanations given by Mr.
Disraeli were unsatisfactory.
Mr. LICIDSAY, referring to the accounts received by
the last mail. of Ametioan merchant vessels having been
fired into and boarded by British ships of war, asked by
' whose orders the commanders had acted?
..

Mr. W•LeoLs suggested that notice should be given
of the question.
Several Bills were forwarded • stage, and the House
adjourned at half-past 12 o'clock.

TUESDAY.

In reply to Mr. LINDSAY,
Mr. S. FtrzogriaLo stated that of the occurrences
referred to on the preceding night—namely, of Ameri-
can merchant vessels having been fired into, boarded,
and detained by British cruisers—the Government had
no official knowledge, and he explained the tenour of
the orders sent out to the commanders of the cruisers by
the Board of Admiralty.
On the order for the consideration of the petition of
Washington Wilke,
Mr. M. Ginsorr moved that Mr. Wilke be dis-
charged from the custody of the Sergeant-at- krins, as
be had withdrawn the particular imputation of corrupt
motives. . . .

After a short diamasion,
The fioldorroa-GetraliaL, considering that the re.
tractation in Mr. Wilk's petition was guarded and
limited, and the apology illusory, moved u an amend-

ment, that the order for the consideration of the peti-
tion be discharged.
This amendment, after further debate, was agreed to,
with the understanding that Mr. Wilks might, if be
thought fit, present another petition, oontaining a fuller
and less restricted retractation of the charges.
Captain VIVIAN moved "That, although the recent
consolidation of the different departments of Ordinance,
Commissariat, and Secretary at War has, to a certain
extent, improved the general adniinistmtion of military
affairs, a divided responsihlty still existe ; and that, in
time
aler
otorseporolun.dir
ortegrardtew.
r erfti.ocfflm ieney.h,
otuhlde
bedelpi=denuntsdeorf
the control of one responsible Minister."
General Peat admitted the importance of the sub-
ject, and the expediency of defining the responsibilities
of publio officers ; but the several duties and responia-
hilities of the two 'War Departments were clearly de-
fined ; be had never found spy difficulty in disoovering
what they were. He could not agree with the proposal
that they should be both placed under a single responsi.
ble Minister. He must, therefore, oppose the resolu-
tion.
Lord A. VANS Telmer believed that the beat
course WWI to assimilate the administration of the army
to that of the navy.
Mr. RORNMAN observed that this wee no longer •
military question, affecting its it did the heaviest item
of our expenditure. He was not aware of any person
of experience and authority who had lent the weight
of his name in opposition to that proposed in the row.
lution.
Mr. it Rainfallr denial that there WAS at present
divided responalbility in the army. He thought there
Mae IMO much oonsolidation, bat not a derided moppet.
sibility. He could not support the motion,
Sir, W, GODRINOTON admitted that the monomial
theory of Captain Vivian was goal, and desired that
the responsibility of the two ontima should be well de.
Sued i but he could not consent to plea the army under
the control of a single Minister, end brim_ all the cow
earns of the army into &maiden in that House.
Lord PALMERMTON could not concur in the resolution.
He objected to a Board, as not being a good instrunient
of administration, Tu. moult wee that the present
arrangement, in hie opinion, wee that which, upon
prinefple, it wee moot expedient to maintain.
Upon a division, the motion wee carried by a nay.
row majority of t, the numbers being—ayes, LOS j noes,
104,
Mr, ROMA* called attention to the subject of the
Sues Canal, and moved a resolution that the power and
inflame m this country ought not 10 IS USN in order
to induce the Sultan to withhold his assent to the pro.
*tot making a canal aerate the Isthmus of Sus.
Mr, Geier! tic moved, an amendment 'That, in
any course that this Howse may mutton, in furtivereue
of the 00natftiOnOti of such canal, it Is expedient that
ears be taken that the despoile powers of the Zgypilan
Oovernment be not allowed to be made use of by tile
promoters of such project to obtain the required labour
from the Ifellals' at an inadequate remuneration, by
eompuleory means, so as to ermines the effect. of slavery
under the mike of paid labour,"
Mr, fireenreems pointed out the phypdaal and moral
difiliniltiee in the way of forming the canal, whieli,
owing to the two mar being upon a dead level, would
have no current and would be in fast a ARA. In his
opinion,' it would be a most abortive undertaking.
Mr, 5, FITIHHISALD opposed the motion,
Mr, M. GINNOff wished for copies of all the oom.
munioatione with other eountries upon this subject, in
order that the Howe might understand clearly what
policy the Forel/muffin had been pursuing.
Lord PALMERNTON 'aid the most charitable view be
could take of the whine, the most innocent light in
which ho ootild view it, was that it was one of the
greatest bubbles ever attempted to be imposed upon the
credulity and simplicity of the people of this country.
The Sultan wee jut as mudi opposed to the project as
the British Government, and even more, upon political
considerations.
Mr. J. EWART spoke in opposition to the motion.
Mr. GLADSTONE observed that the point before the
House was not whether it should sanction a bubble
scheme, or any scheme at all, but whether it should
protest against the political influence of this country
being used, for the purpose of preventing the making of
this canal.
The Connor:mon of the EXCHEQUER asked what
evidence there was that the power and influence of OW
country had been used to induce the Sultan to with.
hold his assent? He knew of no undue control so
exerted on the part of the present or any former
Government. The motion had been brought forward
without authority, and If limo House adopted the resolu-
tion it would fetter itself in its future course.
Lord J. RUSSELL should vote for the resolution.
Mr. DRUMMOND considered that the canal was in-
tended to bar our access to India by that route.
Mr. BRIGHT premed for the correspondence referred to
by Mr. Gibson.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER promised to give
an answer on the subject next day.
After a few remarks by Sir. J. ELPHINBTONE, and
a reply by Hr. ROEBUCK, the amendment of Mr.
Griffith was negatived, and the House having divided
upon the original motion, it was negatived by 290 to 62.
The ATToRNEY-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in a
Bill to amend tho law relating to checks of draughts
upon bankers.
On the motion of Mr. ROPE, a select committee was
appointed to consider and report upon the reconstruo-
tion of the Foreign-office in relation to the future re-
building of other offices on a uniform plan, due regard
being lied to public convenience and economy.
Ou the order for the third reading of the Church
Rates Abolition Bill, a discussion arose on a motion by
Mr. DRUMMOND that the debate be adjourned, which
was negatived upon a division.
Mr. Hume then moved that the House do adjourn,
which was likewise, upon a division, negatived.
Ultimately the debate on the motion for the third
reading was postponed until- Wuesday (this day). Mr.
Sorsisnotr Esrooonr, on the part of the Government,
conceding a morning sitting for the purpose, and the
House adjourned at 20 minutes to 3 o'clock.