The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-18 00:00:00

4

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

11017 SE OF LORDS.—Tristur, FEL 17.

The Loop Coozoauks took lus secs on the wooloock
I o'clock.
CONNITTEE OF SELECTION.

-- -- - -
On the motion of Lord STANLCT of ALDIRLZY, the
committee of selection of but session ye:* re-appointed.

THE BRAZILIAN DLETICULTY.

Earl RUSSELL said that some remarks had been made
but night by the noble earl opposite (the Earl of Derby) on
the oecasion of making some inquiry concerning the papers
'elating to recent transactions in Brazil. Those
-"mild shortly be laid before the house, and he true t eir
lordships would not form ajudgment on the subject without
sessulting them. So much had however been said by the
noble earl, founded upon the en parte statement of the go-
vernment of Brazil, that he should inform their lordships
what the general outline of the papers was. In the year
1861 a rumour reached the residence of the British
consul at Rio that some sailors had been washed
ashore. He immediately instituted inquiries, and
found that the rumour was quite true, and also
that • British vessel had been wrecked. On fur-
ther inquiries he found that various articles which
had been taken from the wreck, and which were in a per-
fectly dry state and uninjured by the sea water, were in
the possession of various persons being near the coast. It
was also ascertained that the bodies of ten persons bad been
washed ashore, but notwithstanding all his efforts four
only were produced. With regard to the six it was declared
that they could not be found, although the persons
who made that statement informed the consul that they
had buried all the bodies in the sand on,the sea shore. It
was felt to be very strange, therefore, that the six were not
forthcoming. Rumours at the same time began to be circa-
latest that the persons in question, who formed the crew of
the Prince of Wales, which was the name of the wrecked '
easel, bad been strangled or otherwise murdered. These
circumstances, of course, excited a great deal of suspicion.
The consul required(that an inquest should be held on the
bodiee, but the inquiry was prevented by some person, ap-
parently of an official character, who was attended by an
armed escort. The six bodies were not produced until many
months afterwards, and they were then almost entirely de-
composed, so that an inquest could not be held upon them.
These facts strengthened the probability that these persons
bad been murdered, but still it was but matter of proba-
bility. What was matter of certainty was that the local
authorities had prevented inquiry into the facts. Demands
were thereupon made upon the government of Brazil, and
in the month of January following he (Earl Resell) wrote
requiring that the fullest investigation should take place ;
answers, however, of the most evasive kind only were re-
ceived. Her Majesty's government did not think that such
occurrences should be allowed to pas unnoticed, or that
Sops should not be taken with • view to prevent
their repetition. Another difficulty had subsequently arisen.
Two officers and the chaplain of her Majesty's ship Forte
were return' n from a walk in the country, and on ap-
proaching a Basilian sentinel one of them asked him in
Spanish what road they should take, upon which he was
struck with the butt-end of • musket. The two other officers

dune up, and the sentinel immediately called on the guard ;
the three Englishmen were put into the guard-house, when
they gave their names, stated they were British officers, and
wrote a letter to the commander of her Majesty's ship Forte,
which was not, however, delivered. The next morning they
were marched to Rio and put into a very filthy gaol. That
appeared to be a deliberate insult to officers of one
of her Majesty's ships, far which some explanation
should be given, and some reparation made. Every sort of
device was resorted to by the Brazilian authorities to
avoid giving cadres. It was said that the officers were
drunk, that they had attacked the sentinel, and refused to
give their names. These statements, however, were
flu-
sionss. A correspondence on the subject commenced in
June, 1861, and was carried on until October, 1862, and her
Majesty's government then considered that some decided
step should be taken in the matter. Two courses were open
to them. One was to demand reparation from the Bra-
zilian government ; the other waste withdraw her Majesty's
ships from Rio ; to declare that British merchants
at Rio should in future receive no protection, and
that if the crew of a merchant ship was murdered
her Majesty's government could not resent it. The latter
course could not be thought of, and the former was accord-
ingly adopted. Her Majesty's government, in the first in-
stance, demanded moderate reparation, and that demand not
having been complied with, recourse was had to those
measures to which the noble earl opposite had alluded.
The Earl of DERBY said it was quitetruethat yesterday,
in the alseoce of the °obit earl the Foreign Secretary, he had
expressed a hope that no delay should take place in laying
the papers referred to before their lordahips, and the noble
earl the President of the Council stated that the
papers were in course of preparation, and would
shortly be laid upon the table. He was certainly anxious
to see those papers, as from a perusal of the pays pub-
lished by the Brazilian government it appeared to him that
her Majesty's representative at Rio had acted in a manner
which could not he hoped meet with the approval of the
government or of their lordships. The noble met the
Foreign Secretary stated that his (Lord Derby's) deductions
were drawn from ex parts statements, but he bad himself
adopted the inconvenient and unusual course of giving an
ex parte version of the affair. If the noble earl
had taken upon himself to say that the Brazilian
papers had not given • fair account of the corrupoe-
dence, and then stated the opinion that her Majesty's
government entertained of the conduct of their agent, he
should not have made the 'lightest objection, but the course
be had taken was to make a partial representation, omitting
from his statement some eirconistances which were very
material. He would not enter into the merits of the case,
as be had not yet seen the British side of the question, nor
would be say • word as to the case of the officers because
there appeared to be conflicting statements, which probably
the papers might clear up. It might be that the officers
were grossly insulted. It appeared that they were in plain
clothes, so that their rank was not known, but he rather be-
lieved it would appear that when their rank was ascertained
reparation for the treatment they had experienced was
made. The doctrine laid down by the noble earl was oos
which he thou-ht it would be very difficult for him to es-
tablish. The shipwreck occurred upon a nearly uninhabited
coast—certain bodies ware found upon the shore, and it was
taken that they were murdered. It was • case of suspicion,
and nothing more. The demand of the moan' was that in
consequence of the murder having taken place on
a distant part of the Bout of Brazil, and of the
inbaLitanta barring joined in the plunder of the wreck,
and perhaps in murdering a portion of the ship-
wrecked crew, the Brazilian government should be made
pecuniarily liable for the full value of the ship and cargo—
s, demand to be supported, if necessary, by force of arms.
The only ground of complaint which existed against the
Brazilian government was that they had not put the law
in form for the discovery of the offenders, if such really
was the case, but the right to demand and enforce repara-
tioa ought not to be strained as it was in this case. What
would the noble earl say if a foreign vessel was lost upon
some part of the coast of this country ; that it was plundered
by wreckers, and that • demand was made on her Majestfe
government for the fall value of the ship and cargo ! The
demand was rejected by the Brazilian government, and
thereupon a certain number of Brazilian ahips were seized
by • British man-of.war, and a question was raised of so
serious a nature that if it had arisen between two powerful
governments, it might have been very difficult to avoid hos-
tilities. That was • part of the case with which the noble
earl had not dealt.
Earl RUSSELL said that if the noble earl had waited
to bring forward the subject until the papers were
produced, he should not have alluded to it. When,
however, the noble earl had at a time when he
(Earl Rowell) happened to be absent—pronounced
as a definitive judgment upon the question, founded
upon merely partial accounts, that great injustice had been
done, and that her Majesty's Minister at Rio had not
performed his duty—he felt called upon to state the facts
•as they would appear on the production of the papers,
(Hear, hear.) It added little to the authority of the noble
earl's statement that he bad not gone into the particulars of
the nue he spoke of. With respect to the noble earl's view of
the law of nations in such matters, be would find no authority
to bear it out. It was the opinion of the Queen's Advocate
that if • wreck took place, and the ship was plundered, and if
the government did not take prompt and proper means to
secure the 000victicia of the offenders, there existed • fair
demand upon that government, and that they were liable
le puke good the damages occasioned by the,r Lichee,
Laid CHELMSFORD—Were they liable for the value of
the ship!
Earl BUSEETI —The government made no demand for
the value of the ship. They stated what the owner of the
vessel demanded, and required that comminimiers
should be appointed on both aides—offering to strike
not any article that might appear to be excessive.
There was • case of an Austrian ship having been wrecked
on the coast of Ireland when Lord Palmerston was Secretary
of State, and thinking that justice had not been done he
offered to make reparation.
The Earl of DERBY said if the Austrian minister bad
made a demand for reparation he thought it would be re-
ceived in a di/fewest manner.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALPN.
The LORD CHANCELLOR read the following massage
from her Majesty :—" Her Majesty relies on the loyalty and
affection of the Howe of Lords, and on the conlial interest
which they have manifested in the happy event of the ap-
proaching marriage of the Prince of Wales and the Prin.
ores Alexandra of Denmark, that they will be ready to
concur in such provision es may be judged necessary to en-
able her Majesty to settle an establishment for the Prince
and Princess suited to their rank and dignity."
Earl GRANVILLE, an rising to move that an humble
address be preasated to her Majesty in answer to her most
gracious memage,sahl--Her Majesty has already been pleased,
in the speech from the throw, to announce the fact of the
intended marriage of the Prism of Wales, and on that
occasion many noble lords, and the noble earl opposite,
expressed the gratification of the house at this suspicions
event. The cheers of the house on that occasion showed
bow much your lordships joined in the feeling of satisfaction
which her Majesty most derive from thin event. and were
also a tribute to the personal character of the Prince and
the distinguished Prisms with whom he was to be united.
Your lordships oleo showed that you regarded this event
not only as intarvailag to the royal faaulyibat as likely to

°attribute much to the welfare of the country
at large. Your lordships officially embodied these
sentiments of gratification in an address which
was unanimously speed to. Putting aside all the col.
lateral circumstances of an suspicions character !spilling
this mature., and feeling that your lordships are so
strongly attached to the constitution of the country and
the monarchical institutions connected with it, it becomes
almost • matter of form, on my part, to ask your lordships
to agree to an address in which your lordships shall thank
her Majesty for her most gracious mown% I there-
fore, to move that an humble address be 'presented to her
Majesty to return to her Majesty the thanks of this house
for her most gracious menage, and to alumni her Majesty
that the house will immediately proceed to the consideration
thereof in such a manner as shall demonstrate their real,
duty, and affectionate attachment to her Reject'', and • dna
regard to the rank and dignity of the royal
The Earl of DERBY said if this bad been a question on
which there was likely to arise say difference of opinion,
I should have thought the most expedient course would be
to give notice of taking the address into consideration on •
future day, which I believe is the course adopted In the
other house of parliament. But as no difference of opinion
is likely to arise, whatever may be the state of your lord-
ships' house, and therefore if it was more respectful to her
Mdaloty, I cheerfully concur in carrying the motion for the
without notice or further delay. We have already
offered our congratulations to her Majesty in answer to her
gracious speech from the throne, and we have taken occa-
sion, both on public and private grounds, to express the
gratification we felt at the auspicious event which is about
to take place. The premet address is a fulfilment in point
of fact of the expectation than held out that parliament
would take every step in ite power to facilitate the program
of that event. The question of pecuniary prow lion ts one
which perhaps more properly belongs to other house.
but if I have been fairly informirl as to the
proposition which is to be made for this purpose, I am
satisfied the reasonableness and moderation of that propo-
sition is such that neither in that house nor in this will
there, on financial or other grounds? be the slightest objec-
tion made to it. (Hear, hear.) It is of the utmost impor-
tance to the country that a person placed so high as is the
Prince of Wales should be supplied with an income eulfi-
tient to keep up the dignity of the station without involv-
ing the aseserity of incurring debts, es former heirs to the
throne ham done, which led to implement feelings between
the crown and parliament. (Hear, hear.) lam quite sure
his Royal Highness will, from the example he ham before
him of careful prudent, and economical management—an
example which has boon set by both hie illustrious parents
—I am sure be will avoid in the management of hie house-
hold both extremes—of • parsimony unworthy of his rank
and station on the one ham and of unwise extravagance on
the other. (Hear, hear.)
Earl GRANVILLF said he thought he adopted the re.
gular course of proceeding on this occasion... On Thursday
next his noble friend the First Lord of the Treasury would
introduce the bill on this subject, and he was sure it would
meet with general concurrence.
THE AFFAIRS OF ROME.

The Marquis of NORMANBY drew attention to the cor-
respondimos recently presented on the affairs of Rome, and
haying referred to a dense:lt by Earl Rumen, of the 15th of
November last, in which, spearing of transactions that took
place in 1849, the noble earl said that acquiescence did not
imply'approbation, proceeded to criticise the conduct of the
Foreign-office in offering the protection of England to the
Pope. He contended that the Secretary for Foreign Af-
fairs and Mr. Odo Rumen had been made the victims of a
mystification ; and, alluding to certain expressions of the
noble earl in 1852, stated that he then viewed the extraor-
dinary movements of which be was now so decided an advo-
cate with anything but unmixed satisfaction.
Earl RIIMELL said that the object of the noble mar-
quis's statement was to accuse the government of 1848 of
baring recognised the French occupation of Rome, and that
a statement made by him that aanameenoe did not imply
approbation, was Wounded. Ha had looked at the record
of the affairs of 1848, and he could not find any ground for
the criticism paged upon him. The noble earl then at some
length justified the course taken by the goverment in regard
to the kingdom of Italy, which he mid had now bete norm-
gibed by every power in mom* Spain and Portugal.
The Farl of ELLENBOIItraeGH hoped the time might
soon arrive when the Pope would be supreme in the Vati-
can. but that Rome would become the capital of Italy.
The Marquis of NORMANBY briefly replied, and the
subject then dropped.
Their lordships adjourned at twenty-five minutes past
seem

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Tr ERDAY„FIL 17.
The Sneeze took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW 1031111E11.

Mr. W. B. Ferrand introduced by Lord John Manners
and General Peel, took the oath and his seat for Devonport,
In the room of Sir Michael appointed to the com-
mand of Portsmouth Admiralty Antics. The hon. gentle-
man
wait: received with loud chess from the opposition

PSIyATE BUSINESS.

The following bills;er;- read a second time :
Alyth Railway ; 'Andover and Redbridge Railway ;
Cleave and Evesham Road ; Farnborough and Aldashott
Railway k Great North of Scotland Railway ; Great West-
ern and Wert Midland Railways Amalgamation; Great West-
ern, Welt Midland, and South Wales Railway Companies
Amalgamation ; Herne Bay and Canterbury Junction Rail-
way ; Lammas Canal and Leedom and North Western
Raway ; Mersey Docks and Harbour Bused ; Milford
' Railway ; Thorpe, and Walton Railway ; Omani
Valley Railways; and Vale of Neath Railway balls
Long discussions arose upon the Liverpool Lk:swing Bill
and the South Eastern Railway Bill, the second reeding of
both bills being negatived—the former by 124 to 108; the
latter by 122 to 111.
Mr. R. HODGSON moved • resolution to rescind so
much of the table of fees charged at the House of Com-
mons (under a standing order of the bones) as multiplies
the fees payable on the petition. first, second, and third
readings, and report of private bills. according to the money
to be raised or expended nader the authority of such bills.
At the suggestion of Mr. M. GIBSON, after some discos-
ion, the motion wee withdrawn.
PROMOTION IN DOCKYARDS.

Mr. FERRAND gave notice of his intention to ask the
government whether they to rescind the minute of
the 16th of October, to promotion in royal dock-
yards, and said that if they dhd not be would bring the &ab-
ject before the house on an early dey.

CLOWNO PUBLIC H 01711123 ON SUNDAY.

Mr. SOM gave notion that on newlay, 17tb March,
be would oak for leave to bring in a hill for closing public
homes on Sunday.

THE IRISH CHURCH.

Mr. DILLWYN gay. notice that in coasequence of ye-
presentations made to him by Irish members, he would
poetpooe his motion Mating to the church of Ireland until
after Faster.

THE GAME LAWS.

Mr. W. E. FORSTER gave notice that he would poet-
pose his motion for a committee on the game lawn until the
176 Minh.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS asked the First Lord of the
Treasury if the government were prepared to britg in a
bill for making commercial enpgemente falling due on the
wedding day of the Prioce of Wales payable u is by law
provided for Christmas-day, so as to enable her Majesty's
subjects to enjoy the day of that auspicious event es •
general holiday•
Lord PALMERSTON—I am sorry to inform my bon.
friend that the government have no intention to bring in a
bill for that purpose. (Hear, hear.) Any unnecessary in-
terference with the arvangamenta of the commerce of the
country is a thing to be avoided, and there is no precedent for
such a measure as suggested. (Hear, hear.)