The Press.
London, England, 1854-05-13 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

dent and uncompromising temper, and an
enemy of jobbery in every shape. No wonder
that the presence of such a man was unwel-
come at the Woods and Forests ; the only
wonder is how he ever got there at all, anti
that, perhaps, will yet be explained, along with
the other particulars of this disgraceful affair.
We have said that Mr. KENNEDY has ren-
dered good service in his late office, notwith-
standing the systematic obstructions thrown
in his way. We can acknowledge merit in a
political opponent; and the country will yet
learn that it has gained many thousands a
year through the judicious management of a
public servant who has fallen the victim of a
base intrigue. Mr. KENNEDY, we are sure, will
be disposed to return our compliment by
freely admitting that in carrying out his neces •
sary reforms he received much more considera-
tion and support from Lord DERBY'S Govern-
ment than he ever experienced at the hands of
his treacherous colleagues.

UNAUTHORISED NEGOTIATIONS.
ON Tuesday last Lord CAMPBELL moved the
second reading of the Unauthorised Nego-
tiations Bill, which provides that any English
subject who negotiates with the Sovereign of
a foreign nation without the authority of his
own shall be guilty of a misdemeanour. The
Noble and Learned Lord based the necessity
of the measure on an imaginary case, in
which serious mischief might ensue from such
proceedings ; but the real " negotiations "
which occasioned the bill were the mission of
Sir JAMES DUKE and other aldermen to Paris
to tell the French Emperor that he enjoyed
their confidence, and the more recent journey
of their Excellencies the three bold Quakers
to St. Petersburg. Lord LYNDHURST, with an
intellect as clear and a wit as keen as inspired
those speeches which a quarter of a cen-
tury ago dazzled, delighted, and convinced,
after demonstrating that the words of the
preamble were technically inapt, opposed the
bill on account of the practical absurdities it
would create.

It is as well known that Lord CAMPBELL had
an interview with the Pope as that his Most
Sacred Majesty CHARLES 11. partook of a des-
jeune at Tillietudlem, the only difference being
that in this case it is the visitor and not the old
lady who occasionally mentions the circum-
stance. Now, if the proposed measure become
law, this delightful intercourse can scarcely be
renewed without some danger:of an► indictment
for misdemeanour. His Lordship, indeed,
says the visit would not fall within the pur-
view of the bill, and that he only spoke to the
Pope as an individual; but—his Lordship's
modesty is well known. Still, if that visit was
lawful, another, which in its way did almost
as much good—that which resulted in the
liberation of the MADlAl—would clearly have
been illegal. Lord CAMPBELL, indeed, pro
poses that any deputation to any foreign po-
tentate should be legitimatised by a licence
from a Secretary of State. But such a licence
would change the nature of a mission : instead
of being a private deputation, it would become
a public embassy ; for no licence would be
granted unless the purpose for which it was
sought was sanctioned by Government.
Many, as Lord SHAFTESBURY observed,
objecting to submit their purposes, perhaps
inspired by the loftiest motives, to thc
unenthusiastic scrutiny of a Secretary
State, would not apply for a licence, and
much good might be prevented. It is we,
the measure was not law when Lady HAMU
Tor; procured the order by virtue of whi,
Lord NELsoN's fleet was enabled to contin►.
its course to victory, otherwise Lady HAMIL-
TON might have been punished for a misdc
meanour instead of only being permitted
die of hunger. But, instead of objecting
" unauthorised negotiations," we are not sure
whether they might not be turned to a useful
account in war. If our memory is not i:
accurate, the only pickpocket who sueceede,
in entering the Great Exhibition was dresse,
in the garb of a Roman Catholic bishop.
the Quaker deputation have any young engi-
neering friends, a deputation of them to the