The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-18 00:00:00

• Joseph Sturge, of Birmingham; Henry Pease, of Darlington; Robert Charleton,
of Bristol.

referring to his own long experience of the Foreign-
office, passed a glowing eulogium on the ability,
industry, and probity of those employed in it. If
every office were as well served, the warmest reformer
would be satisfied.

Lord DERBY said that this retractation was satis-
factory to the gentleman accused and creditable to
Lord Aberdeen. He agreed in the praises bestowed
on the Foreign-office, and for that reason the present
doubts ought to be fully elucidated. What had
lately transpired had thrown a doubt upon the
probity of some one. He approved of Ministers
making known their impressions through the means
of the press ; but when one especial paper obtained
access to documents of a secret and confidential
character, when the editor of that paper was on
terms of intimacy with Cabinet Ministers, when his
visits to Downing-street were frequent, when its
general connection with Government officials was
notorious, no one could be surprised if the public
charged the Government with participation in the
betrayal of information. Not long ago an important
State document was transmitted to Russia containing
the ultimatum of the British Government. None
but members of the Cabinet should have been
cognisant of it, yet the next day but one after its
despatch it appeared in the Timte ; and, as the
messenger was delayed on his route, the first know-
ledge given to the Czar of its contents was through
the columns of a newspaper. The Government, or,
if the Government failed, the house itself, was
bound to sift the matter to the bottom ; and, if no
one else took it up, he should himself take it in
hand.
Lord MALMESBURY expressed himself satisfied with
the retractation of the charge. It. was evident that
the betrayal bad taken place in this country. The
time bad not allowed of its committal elsewhere.
The subject then dropped.
Lord CIANRICARDE, in moving for papers respect-
ing the exportation of Russian produce and the
rights of neutrals, said that the prohibition of the
exportation of Russian produce already bought by
Englishmen was an injury only to this country and
a direct benefit to Russia. British subjects received

last year such strong assurances of a peaceable ter •
urination of the dispute that they were fully war-
ranted in entering into me rcantile engagements with
Russia. He entered at some length into the position
of the German powers, and contended that the pro-
hibition of the transport by us would drive the trade
of Russia into overland channels.
Lord CLARENDON regretted any injury to British
merchants in Russia, of whose character he spoke in
the highest terms. But when asked by a merchant
in Riga, who intended to continue his residence
there, if he might export Russian produce as
hitherto, he could only refer him to the admitted
law by which any man, whether foreigner or native,
who resided and traded in a hos ile country, was
liable to be treated as an enemy. We had a neigh-
bour ally in the present contest, and before altering
our former rules we were bound to see how far our
new principle would be adopted by that ally. The
matter had, however, been fully considered by the
Government, who were about to take a final determi-
nation ; and all he would say at present was, that it
was their intention to treat British subjects with
every liberality consistent with the case ; and, in
reference to letters of marque, to set an example of
generosity to the world, and mitigate, as far as that
mode of injury was concerned, the horrors of war.
He hoped in a few days to be able to state his ulti-
mate resolution.
The house adjourned at a quarter before seven.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FainAr.
REFORM OF OXFORD UNIVIRSITY.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved for leave to bring in a
bill to make further provision for the good govern-
ment and extension of the University of Oxford.
Acknowledging the advantages which he bad derived
from the investigation lately completed by the com-
missioners appointed to inquire into the state of the
universities, the noble lord indicated the principles
whereon his proposed scheme of reform was based,
and which embodied on many points the conclusions
arrived at by the members of that commission. Ilia
object was to widen the field of education imparted
at the university, by comprehending in its scope