The Express.
London, England, 1862-06-14 00:00:00

THE ARIOTRONG GUN.

Sir F. SMITH asked the Secretary of State for War
whether any steps had been taken towards the construction
of a 800-pounder Armstrong run, or any other gun of greater
calibre than the 180-pounder smooth-tore gun, with which
experiments had been made at Shoeberyneas ; and if so,
when it might be expected to be finished and reedy for
proof.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that a 200-pounder Armstrongrifie
gun bed been constructed and proved within the last week,
and that experiments; would immediately be carried out with
it. Also, that • 600-pounder Armstrong gun iris in the
course of congruities, and promised to be ready for proof
in three months ; and that • wrought iron gun was now
being constructed by Mr. Lisle Thomas, which was intended
to throw • projectile of 400 lbs. weight, which was to be
ready in three month..
COMMUNICATIONS WITH VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.
Sir H. VERNEY asked the Under-Secretary of State for
the Colonies, whether it was the intention of the govern-
ment to establish • line of packets between this country and
Vancouver's Island. .

Mr. C. FOBTESCITE said something had already been
done for the purpose of improving the postal communication
between this country and Vancouver's Island and British
Columbia. Arrangements had also been made under a
subsidy provided by the two colonial for the conveyance of
passengers between San Francisco and Victoria. With re-
gard to the communications between the Isthmus of
Panama. Vancouver's Island, and British Columbia,
though he was aware that nothing could contribute so much
to the growth of the colonies as the introduction into them
of British communities, yet he did not think the government
were prepared to ask the house for any wasters* on this

subject.
RUMOURED ATTACK UPON ENGLISH AND
FRENCH STEAMERS.

Sir 3. ELPHINSTONE ;sited whether her Majesty's
government were in possession of any information with
regard to certain occurrences which it was rumoured bad
taken place on the coast of America, whereby an English
and a French steamer were fired into, and the captain of the
French steamer killed. Such a report had arrived at South.
amnion by the Scotia, and was telegraphed to Lloyd's at one
o'clock to-day.
Lord PALMERSTON—No information of the kind has
reached the Foreign-alien
THE CASE OF MR. G. 0. WATSON TAYLOR..
. .

On the motion for into committee of supply.
Mr. CAVENDISH BENTINCK called attention to the
case of Mr. George Gnome Watson Taylor. He stated that
in 1852 Mr. Taylor bought the great& part of the Island of
Monte Christ° from the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He had
differences with the commander of a corporal's guard,
stationed on the island, who was dismissed. When Tu.
may was annexed to Piedmont the same corporal was mot
beck, and the conduct of the soldiers was such that Mr.
Taylor addressed a letter to Sir J. Hudson complaining of
their insolence, and asking his interference to obtain their re•
move!. Mr. Taylor wu cited to appear before the court in
Elba on ► prosecution instituted by Baron Riasoli, on •
charts arising out of theee disputes, and he was sentenced
to six months' imprisonment under circumstances involving
great injustice, while the island of Monte Christo was taken
posuesion of, and Mr. Taylor's property destroyed by what
was an act of piracy. He had been unable to obtain redress
and compensation from the Italian government. He urged
that, as a British subject, Mr. Taylor was entitled to the
protection of his government., who were bound to obtain
redress for him. He moved for papers relating to the
matter.

Mr.BOVILL seconded the motion.
Mr. LAYARD said the Italian government had referred
Mr. Taylor to the proper tribunals, to which he did not
appeaL If he had done so, and he had not obtained justice,
then it would have been the duty of her Majesty's govern-
ment to interfere. The law officers of the crown had given
an opinion that there was no case for the interference of the
government.
Mr. B. COCHRANE contended that it was the conduct
of Sir J. Hudson which had caused all the difficulties of the

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER contended
that the present discussion was in the main an attack on
Sir J. Hudson, while what was asked was, that the govern-
ment should tempt to interfere with the course of law
in another country ; and that notwithstanding the execu-
tive of that country had, when it became their function,
remitted the punishment to which Mr. Taylor had been
condemned. . .

Mr. KINGLAKE, after a metal perusal of the papers
in this case, had come to an opinion coincident with three
who bad brought forward this motion, and be contended
that at the time of the occurrence in question the state of
Italy was not such as to allow an effectual appeal to the
ordinary tribunals, which in quiet and orderly times, he
admitted, was the proper course.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that the simple ques-
tion was whether the government had done it. duty in con-
formity with the principles on which the rights of British
subjects were accustomed to be maintained, and be pro-
oeeded to argue that the course taken in this case by the
government was the ordinary one which it adopted with
every nation in the world.
Mr. S. ESICOURT argued that the arguments used on
the part of the government shut out all hope of redress
for an injured British subject ; and he hoped that the de-
bate would not end without some hope of redress being held
out.

The debate was continued by Mr. S. Beanmont, Mr. Stir-
ling, and Sir M. Farquhar.
Lord PAI.MERSTON said—Sir, there are two persons
who have been in different ways ill-used in this deka* Sir
J. Hudson and Mr. W. Taylor. I think Sir J. Hudson has
been very unfairly attacked by the bon. gentleman who
made this motion, and lam persuaded that be will feel on
reflection that the accusation which he put forth of Sir J.
Hudson having made unfounded statements, and that he
believed them to be unfounded, are imputations which upon
cool reflection the hon. gentleman will be disposed to with-
draw. (Hear, hear.) Everybody who knows Sir J. Hudson
also knows that there is not a more honourable man living.
There is no man more incapable of niisrepreeenting anything
or of stating anything which he does not believe to be true.
He is a man who has distinguished himself greatly in all the
employments in which he bad found himself ; he has well
served his country, and has upheld on every occasion its honour
and dignity. (Hear, bear.) With regard to Mr. W. Taylor
there can be no doubt that he has sustained • grievous in-
jury. (Hear, hear.) Nobody denies that. But the clues.
tine at issue to-night is whether the circumstances of the
ease are such as to justify her Majesty's government in de-
manding authoritatively redress and compensation from the
Italian government. Now, there are two different pails*
of Mr. Taylor's ease : the one is the trial at Porto /Teruo
sad the other the devastation of his property in the Island
of Monte Chrisk4 lam quite ready to admit that the con-
demnation pared upon Mr. Taylor may have been totally
unjust, but nevertheless it MU founded upon theorem*,
such u it was, which the court had before it. Mr. Taylor—for
reasons which I do not impugn, and having reference to his
own security—did not think it right to appear before the
court, and be did not therefore give any avidness
which 'might have rebutted the evidence pro-
duced against him, and the court in his absence
could only judge of the statements mode against him, end
comparing those statementswhich appeared to be tree,
with the law, they pronounced a judgment which they
thought the case deserved. Mr. Taylor did not suffer any
real injury by that, because the sentence was remitted and
all his expenses paid by the government of Italy. Onus-
quently, though that sentence may have been unjust if his
own evidence had been gives, nevertheless that 11111,40011