The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-21 00:00:00

Fractious of Mr. Bennett at the time when he
instituted that gentleman at Frame. True, the hon. mem.
her for Cockermouth, who has brought forward the ques-
tion with so much ability, may say that all this is ouly a
result for inquiry; and I admit that it is. But at the
same time I own I do feel the greatest beeitation in pro-
' ceeding to give a vote in favour of an address to the crown,
thus beginning this inquiry on the part ot the Bowe of
Commons. The right hon. gentleman, the Secretary fur
the Colonies, thinks that the case is a proper euhject
for inquiry, and that there ought to be so in-
quiry ; and I do feel, under the circumstances, that
the better coursewould be that we should unit until the
ministers of the crown have been enabled to e.certaiii more
fully the exact facts—until they, with due authority, have
put such questions es they may think fit to put, and asked
such explanations u they may think lit to ask, I hope in the
most friendly spirit, and not with a view to accusation or
impeachment—when they having made their etatraiento the
house, we should be better able to consider what we ought
to do. (Hear, hear.) I cannot but think that it may linally
be the duty of the ministers of the crown, not to propose
new laws, but to provide for the more easy operation of the
laws that are at present in existence ; for thtut who are
most learned on these subjects have always informed me
that there is the greatest difficulty with rtspect to reek
points in akertainiog the extent of redress already pro-
vided by the law. On the whole, then, the sow ect being
one of such transcendent importance, frought with con-

sequences so serious, I should.certainly be inclined, for my
own part, and 1 hope the house is inclined, to hesitate
before giving a vote in favour of the motion, but rather to
leave the case, as it now stands, to the ministers of the
crown, to consider what steps they can take , Bed for them,
at some future day, to declare whether the tints can be
fully laid before us. Until that period sense- I, for one,
cannot consent to be a party to an address to the crown.
Mr. H. DRUNIMOND (who on rising was imt. by load
cries of " Divide," to which he replied by pouting to the
hour—half-past six—and remarking that "ins, r was net
ready yet) desired to express his opinion that the !lowa of
Commons was the proper and legitimate triounal in assert-
ing,the rights of the laity against the usurpations of the
priesthood. (Cheers.) Ile was not appiying this remark
to any special case. Ile cared not what a nom coldest him-
self—whether a papist or a protestant. 11,. was ageing
that man who said " the priesthood is the church."
(Cheers.)
Mr. SPOONER thought that the government hail not
met the motion properly. The question inug settled;
and the government would do well to take the lout thrown
out by the noble lord (Lord J. Rumen), and to
the house that au inquiry would be made. In that case.
the motion might be withdrawn.
Mr. MANGLES could not understand why the Home of
Commons was not to be considered a legitimate tribunal
for adjudication in a controversy like this. (Hear, hear.)
This was not a party question, and the goreninient would
not be discredited by the wiehdrawal of the motion for
the previous question. (Divide, divide.)
Mr. GLADSTONE said that it was not at that moment
that Mr. ilorman's allegations were to Le diecu,seil, hat
he (Mr. Gladstone) was prepared, from a partial knowledge
of the case, to dispute at a proper time the accoracy of
those allegations, and to show that Mr. Borman had
actually misquoted his own documents. It. cave (on
challenge) an instance of such misquotation. Objectiug to
all vague proceedings, he expressed Lis opinion that Lord
J. Russell's suggestion was a wise one. But he fully
granted that a most serious question was raised against
the Bishop of Bath and Wells. In reference to that case,
inquiry into Mr. Bennett's conduct was most material, and
he thought that government might well ins, itutc a friendly
exatninatiou into the subject. lie hail himself, however,
long believed our ecclesiastical law to be in All unsnisfac-
tory state, and it might be found necessary to take steps
for ameliorating its action ; but in regard to the present in-
vestigation, he thought it advisable to leave it in the hands
of government.
Mr. Secretary WALPOLE, while admitting the incense.
nience of such discussions, agreed with Mr. Gladstone that
a case had been made out which invited and demanded in-
quiry. If the law were not strong enough to meet conduct
like that alleged against Mr. Bennett, it ought to be made
strong enough. Re remarked, however, upon the vague
way in which Mr. 'foramen had left his notice on the paper
for a fortnight, and that it was only on the preceding night
that members kuew on what grounds it was to he brought
on. Opportunity ought to be given fur proper inerstie.ition
and answer to the charges. lie then promised that govern-
ment would accept the suggestion of Lord J. Itte,sell and
Mr. Gladstone so far as related to the undertaking of a
friendly inquiry into the question.
Lord It. GROSVENOR recommended, that after tha
undertaking just given by the Rome Secretary, the motion
should be withdrawn, . .

Mr. AGLIONBY recommended, on the contrary, that
the resolution should be pressed to a division.
Mr. IiORSMAN, in answer to Mr. Gladstone, thought
that the proper time for refuting his statements was when
they were advanced, and retorted upon upon him the charge
of misquotation. Replying to several of the spenders, he
said, iu conclusion, that he would accept a judicial, and
not a friendly, inquiry, and would not withdraw his mo-
tion on other terms.
Mr. GLADSTONE having briefly explained,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not
promise a judicial inquiry, not being cognisant of any
means by which it could be conducted, but he would pledge
himself that the inquiry should be bona_ fide.
The house then divided, and the previous question was
carried by—
Ayes
Noes
FOREIGN REFUGEES.

- _
Lord D. STUART moved for or extracts of any
communications which have between the govern-
ment of this country and Ter ey, and other foreign go.
Torments, respecting the Hungarian and other refagees
' detained at Kutayah, from the date of the last despatch on
this subject, a copy of which has been laid before this house
ap to the present time (in continuation of papers alresaly
presented to parliament). It might be in the recollection
of the house that very early in the year 1840—he believed
la the first week of the session—he drew their attention to
Ilse events which had then lately occurred in Hum*
awl Turkey, and to the unjustifiable demands which
bradi beganade by Austria and Russia for the surrender
of Meal* refugees, who had been engaged in the struggle
Hat ball token place for the liberty and independence of
Hungary, and who had afterwards sought refuge in the
territories of Turkey. A debate, which occupied a consi-
derable number of hours, and in which many hie
aourable members took pert, ensued, and the result
IMO that the noble lord the member for Tiverton
ober stating his opinion upon these transactions, agreed to
lay upon the table of the house a selection from the des-
patches which had passed between this and the different
countries concerned. A very considerable time elapsed be-
fore those papers were forthcoming, and it was not infect
till the year following, after he had reminded his noble
friend of his promise, that it was fulfilled, and the cote°
lord laid on the table two sets of despatches. The object of
his motion, was that this correspondence, which only en-
tended to April, 1860, should be brought down to the libe-
ration of the refugees, that was, to the lit of S‘' •ptember,
in last year, and should thus be completed. Ile really hail
aoidesitha4any objection would have been felt by the govern.
meat to this motion, which appeared to him a very simple
one and one that he expected would have been granted
as a matter of course, as an unopposed return.
He brought forward the motion with a bona tide desire to
obtain the papers be asked for, and certainly not an a 7pee
on which to hang a speech or a debate. The noble lord
(Lord Palmerston) had told him that a careful selection
from the despatches would be of great advantage ; and the
noble lord at the head of the late government said that if
those papers were laid upon the table of the house they
would prove that the British government had in reality
done that which the American government cleimed to have
done, namely, that it had been the author of the lilieratiou
of the captives who had licenses unjustly detain, d at Kat-
tayah. (hear, hear.) lie (Lord D. Stuart) was quite
ready to give the United States all the credit which their
exertions deserved, but he believed that if it had
not been for the energetic representations of the
noble lord (Lord Palmerston) the Miseissippi world
have been at the Dardanelles until now. (Hear, hear.)
This would be established by the papers for which he Iris
moving ; and if they were laid upon the table of the house
the public would be able to form a just opinion upon the
circumstances of the case. Some persons denied that the
British government had had anything to do with the matter,
and asserted that the liberation of Kossuth and his compa-
nions was an act of clemency on the part of the Austriaa
and Turkish governments. Ihe public would le. able to
judge whether this had been so, if they had the documents
before them. The despotic governments trembled
at the idea of the refugees being at large. ea
they had endeavoured to intimidate the Sultan
to continuo their unjust detention ; for much as
he (Lard Dudley Stuart) applauded the conduct of the
Sultan iu refusing to give them up, and in having alter"
wards sot them at liberty, it was unjust to have ki pt than
in prison at all. (Hear, hear.) The only reason why he
bad detained them was to propitiate his powerful neigh-
bours; and be (Lord Dudley Steele) would tell the house
what it was of which the despotic powers were afraid. They
dreaded the free discussion upon their acts which would
take place in this country. They did not like Kowuth or
tiny other political refugee to come here because they knew
that:their tyrannical laws and police regulations could fe"
prevent the freest scrutiny of their acts. They wire
of the light of truth, and they kuew that the pre,
political refugees fn this country would cause the I
of those who had driven them to exile to he fully eta
and hence they endeavoured to prevent these nun,
they had in the first instance driven to resistance, ft
joying the hospitality which this free country had
given, and always would give, to such persons.
hear.) The correspondence was necessary to vindi
Ie

policy of the late Foreign SeCretary, and therefore
be neither microns nor fair if the present govertim.
tasted in withholding them. (Hear, hear.) 'lke
lord concluded by moving for the correspondence.
Mr. Henn briefly seconded the motion.
Viscount PALMERSTON said that, as he W2l
very 111.1C11 construed in the cortespondenee to wl
noble friend had alluded, lie might be permitted to t
earliest opportunity to state that, Ili far u he w
cerned, and speaking as tar as he was at liberty ;
the government of which lie hull been a member.
sec no objection to granting the motion of his in 1.1.
(Hear, hear.) It was a notorious fact, know ii
world, that these refugees sw, re detained in Ttnki
considerable portion of time against the natural w
Turkish government, but in deference to the aPlir•
and wishes of the government
.of Austria.
there to blame or to find fault with the gown
Austria for the feeling On e eidertainell with relit
subject. They did entertain alum, which
was sincere ; but at the same time it was the opini
Majesty's government that Austria had no right