The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1962.

or with a disposition more calculated to advance the intsu
rests of truss of whuas be was the trustee. (Hear'.)
The widows was then s,zreed to.
Rl' laid GU the table two bills connected with
the clisuch.

United States have • right to export—mil it is, I trust,
what no government that may exist in this country would
ever refuse them—is that no steps should be taken in a
precipitate spirit. A precipitate step might tura out to be
• very insecure otie—(bear, hewn)—aud we owe the
utmost and deepest deliberation in such matters,
not only to the interests, not only to the feelings
of an ally which ought to be considered, but we owe it to
the interests of this country itself ; and when I see in the
smelt in this paper before me the reference made to another
mantry in North America, and when I tied that an inter-
, (menet, is clout to take place in that countrywhich, from
certain authentic statemeuts that are prevalent, may even
aim at its political independence—l say, remembering this
country was the first that acknowledged the independence
of that insurrectionary State, it becomes us well to consider
what steps we should take in future Instances. But inesying
so much, and without giving any opinion upon the present con-
dition of the Southern States or the character of the blockade
of her porta which so much 000upy public attention at this
moment, I think tonight it would be moat inappropriate
and inconvenient to enter into any controversial discussion
on that point. (Hear, hear.) I think this house hes a right
to expect that the moat ample and authentic information in
the possession of her Majesty • government with respect to
the blockade of the Southern ports should be laid upon the
table of the house. I apprehend. from the commanders of
our Neutrons and from other ofilcial sources on the spot,
that the government are in possession of very
ample materials upon which the ultimate judgment
of the house may greatly depend.. I think
that information, without giving or intimating on
opinion upon the merits of the cam on the present occasion,
we have a right to expect should be given to parliament.
Well, sir, there is another matter connected with North
America to which I have for a moment alluded, which I
confess is one that fills me with some apprehension. As I
understand to-night that papers are to be laid on the table,
it would of course be highly inconvenient, and quite inn.
necessary, that we shou:d enter into any discussion as to
the merits of the policy adopted by her Naiad?*
government with regard to Mexico ; but, sir, Ido not
wish this opportunity to he lost. I feel it my duty, indeed,
on this occasion to press upon the house and the country
that this is • question which deserves their most anxious
consideration. And Ido this for two reasons—the suspicion
which is awakened in me by the announcement of the go-
vernment arises from two principal reasons. In the first
place I cannot forget that England was the first country
which reongnised the independence of Mexioo—aa event con-
nected with a memorable policy and with a memorable man.
Theoceasion must be one most grave which could bring
about the necessity on bee Majesty's sidebars of England
being the first country that should strike at that political
independence which they themselves hid established. But
there is a second reason which makes me view this an-
nouncement with some apprehension, and which makes
me anxious that even on this early occasion the
house should give its attention to this very
important subject. So far as we can form an opinion from
those statements which are held to be authentic, and which
meet the public eye by the convenimit communication of
favoured journals, the very grounds upon which this inter.
ference in Mexico is taking place have changed in the course
of a very brief time. Ant of all we beard that it was to
obtain redress for British subjects who had been victims of
extortion and misfile:mien ; but now it is generally rumoured
that our objects are much higher—that not merely is it to
obtain redress for an injured British subject, bat the object
and effect of these alliances may be to introduce into North
America new principles of government and absolutely
to establish new dynasties. Now, sir, I give no
opinion, and ask no opinion, upon the conduct of
the government in this matter. It is impossible until w•
are perfectly familiar with all that has taken place that we
can come to any satisfactory conclusion, but I think the
state of affairs is such as to justify great anxiety on our
part, and which may lead to considerable embarrassment.
There is also another part of the speech which follows the
announcement of the convention between France and Spain
with regard to America which certainly is not of so impor-
taut • character, but one which I do Trot think ought to pass
unnoticed. That is the convention with the Sultan of
Morocco. Now, sir, it is very difficult to collect from
this announcement the exact nature of the convention,
but I presium I am not in error when I allege that it is
not a formal guarantee of interest by this country to those
who have lest mousy to the Emperor of Morocco. but that
it is in fact a virtual guarantee. Now, sir, treaties of
guarantee for the interest of this country in conoexion with
those who have lent money to foreign powers, should always
be treated by this house with sheet indulgence. Ido not
mean to say that there are not circumstances of such a grave
character that political considerations may not absorb those
prWdples of true finance which so much prevail is this
house. I do not mean to say there are not instances,
even within our resent experience, when such con-
ventions have not been sanctioned, though this house,
even within a very few years, hes by a very narrow ma-
jority only, sanctioned the engsgementa of the crown in
such matters. But I say this, that if there is to be •
guarantee 1, for one, should mud:prefer • formal guarantee
to • merely virtual one. In the case of an absolute and
formal guarantee this house necessarily exercises a control
over the transaction—the matter may be brought before
the house before any engagement on the part of the crown
is sanctioned : but in the cue of • virtual guarantee like the
present, where the crown hes really no legally guaranteed
interest, but has placed itself in • position which makes it
the equitable holder of the resources to which the creditor
is entitled, in that case the House of Commons exorcism
no control whatever. The obvious answer is, there is se
government guarantee, and therefore why should the house
exercise control ? But suppose, for a moment, the interest
is set paid on the Morocco loan, do you think the House
of Commons would not hear of it. Do you nut think the
hoe, member for the City (Mr. W. Wood), who has clothed
with his sanction the policy of her Majesty's government,
mid addressed them in terms of high commendation—do
you not think that he would show, on the part of his con-
stituents, that the premiums would not have existed bad
there not been a moral conviction among his constituents
that the honour and credit of England wee guaranteed.
Thom people iu the country who lent their money on the
faith of the conveotion now publicly referred to in the
speech of the Lade Commissioners will naturally complain
that they have been misled by the interference of the crown,
sad consuler that they haves moral claim on the liberality of
the government. I put it to the house whether, under these
circunistaoces, the Chancellor of the Exchequer may not
consider himself very fortunate if he can defeat such a
movement. 'benders I say, so far as the character of the
transaction I. coocerned, if political circumstances had been
of so mum a character that all financial considerations
must yield to them, it would have been better
to have had as absolute, legal, and formal guarantee than to
have involved the crown and the country in transactions,
which, I cannot help thinking, if adverse circumstances
should prevent the dividends forthcoming in time, may in-
volve the government of this country in considerable diffi.
culty. ace probably • considerable loss. In conclusion,
Mr. Disraeli pronounced • warns and eloquent panegyric
upon the character of the late Prince Consort, a man
superior to his age, who, he observed, was not only eminent
for the fulfilment of bit duties, but of the highest duties,
and the highest duties under the most difficult circuit'.
Menem.

Neu lordships adjourned at a quarter pet eight.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THukt,trAv, FEB. 6.
The representatives of the Commous House of Parlia-
ment bone to assemble at half-peat on, mod about 100
sormLyi were prawn' wbeu the Speaker mitered the house
at a .iii,rter to two. The right hon. gentleman took
his seat at the clerk's table until Admiral Sir Augustus
oentleman Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at
the tab.., awl rulallioloyd the House to the her of the HMls°
Of Lords to hoar the cortiluiosioli read fur the openiug of
parliament. Amongst the members earliest io taking their
ineustomeil seats ware Mr. HailloirfoO, Mr. W. Wllliomd,
Sir H. Willoughby, Mr. Sillily. tolouel lhione, Mr.
IJ. Aspinall Turner, Lord Hotharn, Mr. M. MiIOIO, Mr.
Whitmore, Admiral Walcott, Sir James Elphinstoae,
telooel French, The tel'oaor Isin, Mr. Kershaw, Mr.
Rains, Mr. Pease, the SoliettoeGeseral, Mr. 0. W. H
Mr. Gregory, Sir J. Shelley. Mr. Pollard-Urquhart, ead
Yr. eveutigham. The Treasury beech war nearly empty,
the only occupants being Mr. Ilrund, Secretary of the Trea-
sury ; Sir W. Dustier and Mr. Huge emo, Lords of the
Treasury; and Mr. Hutt, ViemPremdeot of the Board of
Trade.
On the return of the SPEAKER from the House of Lords,
the sitting was suspended till a gustier to 4.

NEW MEMBERS.
At • quarter to four the Smtgra, no resuming the chair,
called upon the new member. to come to the table and take
the mills aol their sesta. The following hon. potlemen
were then introduced to the Speaker :—Mr. William Co:,
neon niember for Finsbury, in the room of the late
Thomx, Slinzsbv Duuccenbe ; Mr. Charles Seeley, for Lie-
coin, in the room of theist. Major Bitehorp ; Colonel Eau,
foe thifordslom, is the room of the late Mr. Gump G.
Harcourt ; Sir Percy Blarvll, for Stwreltam, to the room
of the bate Sir C. M. ; Mr. Edmund Potter, foe
Carlisle, to the room of the late Sir Jams Gotham ; Mr.
Charles tamer, for South Leneashire, under the operation
of the act of kit amakie ; Mr. Laird, for Birkenhead,
ceder the provieloes of the act of last series ; Sir
H. Bruce, for Coleraine, to the room of the late Mr. Boyd ;
Sir Robert Ilifke, for Nottingham, in the mom of Mr.
Mellor, now. judges( the Court of Queen's Beech ; Mr. Foley
Versos, for Emit Woroorterdurie, in the room of the late Mr.
Foley; awl Mr. Monier" for Plymouth, in the room of
Vlscouet Valletort, now Earl Mount E.lgrcumbe. Shortly'
after four o'clock the bows became very fall. On the
Treasure beech we noticed Sir C. Wood, Sir George 019 T.
Mr. M. Game, Mr. Lowe, Mr. F. Peal, the flediertor
General, arid os the front opposition bench Mr. Dimeell,
Ea J. Pakisgtoo, Mr. Whitmore, and. Lord Stanley. At
tweedy initiates past four Lord Palmentoe entered the
house behind the Speaker's chair, and wu received with
gnat cheering from all parts of the bones. The noble
viecowet was apparently in the enjoyment of the
beet of health. - Mr. Gladstone entered the house at the
front door shortly after the noble Premier bad takes his
meat, and was also received with cheers from the ministerial
side of the house.
THE ELECTION OF A NEW MEMBER.
On the motion of Mr. Bruen a writ wee ordered to be
iesued for the eleetiee of a umeher for the city of Lincoln
to serve in the pretest parbueent, le the room of Mr.
lieseage, who, niece hie election, bed aceepied the office of
Steward of the Chiltern Hendee&
PAPERS AND CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO
)ROC(X) AND MEXICO THE MARITIME
LAWS, AND THE MARRIAGE OF THE PktINCESS
ALICE.

Lord PALMERSTON appeared at the for and brought
op papers sad eerrespowdswee relating to the capture of
Masan. Sbdell sad illessa, sad other, ; to the Nrislaville sad
Tuscarora in the Sonthemploo Waters ; the cooventicia with
the Emperor of the Fres& sod the Queen et Spain, is N-
ieman to a onsahreed operation on the coast of Mexico ;the
conveutioo with the Sultan 01 Morocco °Dabbles him to raise
the amount neosseary to awry out certain ate with
Spina ; earreepoodeses with the (overtop:sot the United
States of America ; sad papers railing to the merrier al
the PAIIOIIIIB

Lord PALMERSTON —Sir, I rejoice, and I think the
country will rejoice, that the address which has been so
ably moved arid seconded by my hon. friends behind me
will this night be unanimously adopted by the house with-
out any proposal which would at all interfere with the
general sena* which the house entertains on the topics to
which it Matra. The right honourable gentleman who
has just sat down has made some observations
of which it would ill become the members of
the government if they did not take aims notice. The right
hoe. gentleman has espoused his approve' of the course
which the government have taken in regard to the unfortu-
nate difference which arose between this government and
that of the United States on the su:iject of the Trent affair.
I am bound to my that while I think the country and this
house will agree that the communication made by my noble
friend at the head of the Foreign-office wu a combination
of the utmost courtesy and consideration on the one hand
with firmness and decision on the other—(cheers)—with
respect to those measures which we deemed it necessary
to take to provide for any turn which that affair might
probably take, my noble friend at the head of the Admi-
ralty, my right hon. friend at the head of the War Depart-
meet, and my noble friend at the head of the Colonial-
office, all of them showed a promptitude, a vigour, and a
judgment in the measnom they respectively adopted, to
which, I think, we have great reason to ascribe the fortun-
ate termination of that dispute. (Cheers.) 1 sny, we
should not have been justified in anticipating as a matter of
course a favourable termination of that question, because
we knew that angry passions were let loose in America,
which might be too strong for the government, and
might overbear them in the course which I am
sure they were themselves desirous of pursuing. (Hear.)
Therefore, the measures which we took were those
which prudence prescribed ; and 1 think that while on
the one hand they were equal to the occasion—oo the
other it will not be felt that they were greater than the
occasion required. (Hear, hear.) The right hoe, gentle-
man
has expressed his approval of the course which the go-
vernment took from the commencement of these unhappy
disputes in America, in observing &strict neutrality between
the conteoding pastier (Hear, Lear.) Sir, that position of
strict uutrality—which he has very handsomely &d-
-uelist—mg been sincerely and rigidly observed,
sad from that position of strict neutrality it is
sot our intention to depart. (Load cheers.) We
regret, 'no doubt, the calamities which that war is
banging upon our kindred population is the United SW's.
We lament the peweun which that war has incidentally
produced upon the commercial and mauufacturiug interests
of this country, but we do nut think that is a sufficient ree•
erm why we should depart from that course which a sense
of prodenoe—and I will say of national honour—imposed
%pas is, and why we should interfere in a quarrel with the
of which we had nothing to do. (Rear, hear.) The
right bon. gentleman adverted in the next place to
that part of the speech which relates to the
expedition for Mexico. The convention between Eng-
lead, Fromm and Spain has been laid upon the table. That
convention will speak foe itself. That convention will drew
that we are so parties to as y undertaking to interfere in
• the Worm! armageinente of the Mexican nation, We eon-
andour opeentions to the obtainment of rakes' far wrongs
injuries sustained, and those opimst.Mos of the allies for
the purpose of obtaining redrew ere not to be perverted

into an interference for the purpose of dictating a NAVAL AND MILITARY.
to the people of Mexico any particular form of
government which they are not willing to accept. . AtnaRALTY
rudoubtedly, sir, reports have been spread that there are .
peewee in Mexico who wish to moven their can
Amman C. A. W. M. Johnson, and F. o..klartshorne, to
ROL R.—APPOINT/entree Mid-
form of government into a monarchy. I oin not able to the Euryalus, Si supernumeraries.
bow far those reports are founded, or whether there ;
lie in Mexico any party of sufficient strength and numbers PORTSMOUTH, 7111. 8.
to give effect to a wish of that kind. With her Majesty's The Himalaya, screw troop-ship, Captain John
government the wish is that there should be established in Becoombe, arrived at Spithead during the night from Kings-
Mexico some form of government with which foreign town, with a small detachment of troops.
nations may treat, sod with which they way have
relations of peaulli and amity, with confidence in CHATHAM, Fee. 6.
their continuaricem. government who will do justice Colonel H. D. Harness, C. 8., Director of the
to persons, if aggrieved, and with whom relations Royal Engineer establishment, has received ciders for the
of commerce may be carried on with safety. (Hear, hear.)
That is the utmost the government of Great Britain desires. 2nd and 17th companies of Royal Engineers to be held in
readiness to proceed to London, to be employed at the
to obtain, and I am sure that must be the 'wish of the (;real Exhibition. Both companies will be
augmented to
nation. With regard to the convention concluded with their full complement of 10
the Sultan of Morocco, the right his, gentleman is of 0 men of all ranks, and they
will be attached for duty at the Great Exhibition until its
opinion that it would be better to give a positive and close. None but men of the very best character will be
direct guarantee—to render this country liable to pay
the interest If the Sultan should oot himself discharge it— permitted to remain in the company.
rather than adopt the indirect security which the conven-
tion
establishes. I should wish the house to pause until
they see the convention. They will see that the engagement
established betwen the Sultan and the British government is
simply this—that the Sultan epees that certain persons shall
be appointed to receive the customs revenues at certain
ports in his territory for the purpose of discharging the in.
tercet and the sinking fund of the loan ; and I cannot
think that there is any danger whatever to this country in-
volved in any pecuniary responsibility arising out of that
couventioo. It is the peat object and policy of this coun-
try—end I think every one who turns his attention to the
state of our relations in the Mediterranean will admit it—
'to maintain the independence of the state of Morocco.
(Cheese) By the treaty between Spain and Morocco, the
Sultan of Morocco was bound to make certain payments
within certain specified periods on conditien of which
the town of Tetuan was to be evactusted ; and it was quite
clear that it was desirable to avoid the contingency
which might arise if Spain and Morocco had been
unable to fulfil that engagement. The result of that would
have been that Tetuan would not have been evacuated,
end Spain would have had a just cause of quarrel with
Morocco. The war, therefore, niigbt have been renewed,
and the consequences might have been exceedinglydiesstrous
se regards the independence and the state of Morocco.
Well, sir, I think that is about the sum and substance of
the observations which the right hon. gentleman has nude,
and I trust end believe that when the treaties and papers
connected with them shall be read by the member of this
house—they are already upon the table—the house will be
disposed to think that the course pursued by her Majesty's
government with regard to them transactions is sued as is
most ooesistent with the interests of the country. a
hear.) The last topic to which the right boo, gentleman
adverted is one undoubtedly upon whirl there cam be no
dissentient voice iu this house. (Hear, hear.) I may my,
although I don't think the right hon. gentleman started the
question, but I bays heard it started, namely, whether it
were right on the part of her Majesty's government to
' follow on this occasion the precedent—the several
precedents—of the last century, or the latter pert
of the last century, or whether it would be better to have •
separate address, such as was agreed to with respect to
Prince Omen of Denmark—l would say upon that subject
that, if teatimes will look back to that precedent, they
will ass that no announcement DU made by the crown DS
he the 'tenth of Priem George of Denmark. That was a
peinedent which it was impossible to have followed on the
weed occasion, and we therefore followed the precedeede
fit the Prince's Charlotte and Queen Caroline, in whilst' the
eniscitiscement was made in the speech, and the oondelense
was embodied in the address of the house. It is I:2
passible that any one of us can exaggerate the loss
the Queen end the country have sustained by the death ef
his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort The right hem.
gentlemen, with an eloquence and feeling which I am ens
must have ezeited the sympathy sod admiration of those
who heard him, dilated on the eminent quell. I
ties possessed by the late Prime Consort. (Chasm.)
It is no exaggeration to say, that so far as the word can be
applied to human imperfections, the character of the Prince
deserves that description, became be combined qualities of
the most eminent and in so many different degrees of cha-
racter which are hardly ever equalled in persons in his high
position of life. The talents of the late Prime have been
expatiated upon by the right hon. gentlemen (Mr. Disraeli).
Those who had the Rood fortune to come into contact with
his late Royal Highness, and to converse with him upon any
subject, however serious or however trifling, could hardly
fail to go away without having the impression that he bad
been, conversing with a master mind—(hear, hear)—
and I will venture to say that no man ever clams
into contact with his Royal Highness, without carrying
away with him some new idea or some new view of the
matter, with which he considered himself well ac-
quainted. (Hear, hear.) The position which Prince Albert
held was one of considerable difficulty, for it required the
greatest judgment and the greatest tact to enable him to
fill it so that he might deserve that universal approbation
with which his course was attended. His object was not
to place himself too prominently in a political position, but
to contribute, so far as ths resources of his mind and
commanding station would enable him, to the improve-
ment of the country in every branch of intellect
and of industry. That he accomplished that object
everybody must be well aware. Sir, his course in domestic
life was most exemplary, and it is no exaggeration to say
that the domestic life of the amino' this country has been
of the greatest value to the interests of the nr.tion—(cheeri)
—sad in time of difficulty it his tended to cement the link
which unites the people to the throne, and rendered the
most important services to the nation. Such being the cha-
racter of the Prince which we have lost we an early
imagine the grief and sorrow of her who has lost him—
(hear, heer)—end it is becoming hi this house to tender to
her Majesty their most hearty and their most cordial condo-
hence upon the irreparable loss which has thus fallen upon
her. When we reflect that, during no hour of the day,
there was nothing, no matter how serious or how trifling,
on which those two minds failed to consult and communi-
este with each other, we can imagine bow great has bees
that lase which the sovereign has sustained. (Hear, bear.)
The position of a sovereign is different under such cir-
cumstances from that of any other member of the popu-
Wien, for every person in private life is surrounded by
filen& and relations, who are their equals, and who are
on habits of intimacy with them ; and therefore when a
great misfortune of this kind arises, they can soothe and in
sane measure console them on the loss which bas been
sustained; but the high and exalted position of
the sovereign and coneen deprives them of those equals
which might on these cearsftee he to them a support
and consolation, and the Q who has been by the stroke
of Providence deprived of herconsort, is left m a solitude
of grief which could hardly befall any other pence in this
realm. (Hear, bear.) I feel sure that the House of Coin-
mous, in agreeing to this address—especially in that por-
tion of it which relates to the lose of the Priuce Cousort—
are understating those feelings which every man must have
in his bunts, and lam equally sure that although this
address goes as far as the language of parliament permits,
yet if the forms of the house had allowed, a stronger ex-
pression of sympathy would have been agreed to (Cheers.)
Mr. HADFIELD, who was indistinctly heard, was un-
derstood to say that the expressed and decided opinion of the
noble lord in reference to America would give the greatest
satisfaction to the country, and he hoped the house would
endorse the noble lord's sentiments to the fullest extent.
He could not help expressing that he felt indebted to the
noble earl at the he'd of the Fonegmottice for the manner
in which he had ocioducted these proceedings, for
the temper which be bad shown, and for the cour-
teous way in which he had put the difficult
question before the government of the United States
for their consideration. It was a most unfortunate thing
that the public press on both sides of the Atlantic should
act in a manner which almost showed that the conductors
of it were resolved to bring the two countries into collision.
Mr. kLAGIHRE called attention to the real condition of
Ireland, which was one, lie said, of lateen distress, and the
policy of the Irish government mimed to be to ignore
this distress. He did not ask for alms from England, but
that the government would imitate the noble policy advo-
cated by Lord 0. Bentinck, and give immediate and to the
languishing railway projects in Ireland.
Sir R PEEL, without queetioning Mr. Maguire's honesty
of purpose, was in possession of facts which completely
refuted the statement he had made. He admitted the
existence of partial distress, owing to the failure of fuel and
if the potato crop; but the landed proprietors had re-
lieved its pressure, and he was sorry to say that attempts
had been made to set the people against their landlords,
and to raise a cry of famine, though the people had not
taken up the cry. He rejoiced that the industrious
population of Ireland would have learned a salutary lesson,
and a spirit of self reliance, which would tend to eradicate
that undue dependence upon extraneous aid which only do-
moralised them.
Mr. SCULLY corroborated the statement of Mr. Ma-
guire es to the existence of peat distress iu various parts
of Ireland.
The motion was agreed tos and the house adjourned at a
quarter to 6 o'clock.