The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-11 00:00:00

DOVER AND CALAIS '[AIL PACKET SERVICE,

Yr. HEYGATE asked the Secretary to the Treasury
under what contract or engagement her Majesty's mails were
now carried between Dover and Calais and Dover and Or
teed respectively ; and when any contract which may have
been entered into by her Majesty's government would be
laid upon the table of the home?
Mr. F. PEEL replied that there services were at present
being carried oo under conditions which had been agreed to
between the Poet-otfioe, the railway companies, and the
Belgian government respectively. The contact for the
Dover service embodying these prodsione bad been sent to
the railway companies for their examination and approval,
and they had been urged to send a speedy answer. With
regard to Belgium it was proposed to have an additional
convention.
RECOGNITION OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES.
Sir J. FERGUSSON said he nee to ask his honourable
mid learned friend the member for Sheffield the question of
which he had given him notice, and he hoped that, con.
aidering the importance of the subject, the house would
allow him to make a few obeerrations. It was obvious
that if the debate were resumed on Monday it would be
either negatived unanimously or defeated by a very large ma-
jority. (Hear, bear.) In that case a false impression with
respect to the real feeling of the house would go forth,
and the action of the government would be hampered in
the event of their seeing their way at an early period to
• recogoition of the South, and besides that a reeling of
irritation and deep disappointment would rat in the minds
of the people of the Southern States. A few months ago
if recognition had been generously proposed by this
country. and carried into effect by them, it might have
been attended with beneficial results ; it might have
stayed the effusion of blood, end established in the minds
of the South • claim of gratitude to this country for
the action taken. (Hear, heir.) But new, if the
motion should be successful, should the action of the
South force • peace on the North, they would not thank us
for the action we had Glen ; if, on the other band,the expe-
dition of the South into the North should prove a failure in
what position would the house stand! (Hear, hear.l There-
fore, whether the motion was successful or unsuccessful, he
vectored to submit that the motion could produce no
Sul result, and that it would much better be withdrawn
until • more convenient time. (Hear, beer.) The present was
not • time for action, but for silent observation. (Hear,
hear.) With respect to the personal matter that had been
introdoeed into the debate, he felt sure the hour would give
the hon. and learned member an opportunity of explaining.
(Hear, hear.) He begged to move that the house do now
adjourn.

Lord PALMERSTON—Perhaps my hon. and learned
friend will allow me to amid the request that hes been
dads to him by the hon. sad gallant *nicer, neataly, that
he will consent to drop the continuance of the debate which
stands for Monday. J think the circumstances which have
been adverted to by the hon. and gallant officer are of them-
selves sufficient to show that this is sot the moment when
it is desirable that a discussion of that kind should take
place. (Hear, bear.) Events, of the utmost importance are
taw (airing place is America ; we may beer is a few days of
results commensurate with their impedance, and it is un-
doubtedly not • proper moment to ask bee Majesty's govern-
ment to pledge itself with regard to future action. (Hear.)
It is out likely. I think, that the house would agree either to
the modes of my hoa and learned friend or the amend-