The Express.
London, England, 1849-03-06 00:00:00

TILE WAR IN THE PUNJAUB.

Mr. HL ME said—Seeicg tiWn;,4ii,;;.:l;ithe head of
the government in his place, I wish to ask him a ques-
tion, but I feel considerable difficulty in shaping it in
such a way uto obtain sufficient information. But, sir,
after the statements which we have seen in the Gazette
of Saturday last, and in the Gazette prior vs that, rela-
tive to the affairs of India, the state of that country can
no longer be a matter of indifference to every man who looks
to the future. (Rear. hear.) I should be sorry to prejudge
any man, and particularly one who is not present to answer
aay statements that might be made, but certain facts, which
are developed in the despatches which were waived three
or four weeks ago, without any relation to the late mela--
chely tranmeCons that have taken place, authorise me in in-
quinng whether her Majesty's ministers have taken any
measures to place the army in India under such command as
shall obtain the confidence of the men, and secure all those
advantages of art and science which we, u • civilised nation,
ler the purposes of warfare ? It appears from the
=
has that in recent events those advantages were not
used, and Ido hope, therefore, that her Majesty's govern-
ment will state what measures they have taken to ensure
better succes• for the future. (Rear, hear.)
Lord J. RUSSELL (whose statement wee received with
the most profound silence) said—There can be no doubt that
the state of our military operations in India mud be a mat-
ter not certainly of indifference, but of the deepest interest,
to every member of this house. (Cheers.) l can, however,
only state at present that her Majesty's government, after
considering the intelligence which has been received, have
offered to her Majesty that advice which they think best cd-
eulated to meet the emergency which at present exists is
that part other dominions. But I have not u yet received
her Majesty's reply to the advice which I have humbly 'en-
dued to her Myesty ; but as soon is that answer is received,
sad can be with propriety communicated to this house, I
will lose no time in laying it before it.
ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS.
•

Mr. BOUVERIE inquired whether government proposed
to bring forward any measure for the reform of these courts
'luring the present session?
Sir G. GREY replied that a measure on the subject was
in preparation, but when it would be introduced must
depend on the rate of public business He saw no prospect
of proceeding with it at present.
NAPLIS AND SICILY. .

Mr. URQUHART Inquired if the noble lord the Seen-
tart of State for Foreign Affairs would have any ohj•clion
to lay on the table the correspondence that bad taken place
relative to the presence of the squadron under the command
of Sir Wiliam Parker, in the Bay of Naples, In the month
of July last ?
Viscount PALMERSTON said his answer would depend
very much on the reply he obtained to the question he was
about to pu• to the hon. gentleman. The hon. gentleman
had inquired whether there would be any objection to pro-
duce the correspondence connected with the causes which led
Sir W. Parker's Beet to Naples in the mouth of July last.
The hon. gentleman had not stated whether he had any par-
ticular point to establish by asking the vendee. If he
wished to obtain facts, then he (Lord Palmerston) would
have no objection to furnish a short extract, but if he sought
the whole of the communications which had passed between
Sir W. Parker and the Nespolltan authorities, that was so
Bench mixed up with the general correspondence on Sicilian
affeirs, that a part of it would not be intelligible without the
(Ade, and no great length of time would elapse before it
ilmssooed on the table of the house in its entirety.
- Kr. URQUHART said that his object was to ascertain
*Os relative to the movements of Sir W. Parker's squadron.
wonted to obtain the whole of the correspondence which
hod reference to the three transactions and negotiations that,
reerMading to a statement made on a former night by the
amble lord at the head of the government, were satisfactorily
Lai PALMERSTON promised to lay on the table er-
as* seek as he had alluded to, showing the grounds upon
AWL air W. Pinker had proceeded to Naples, and also
the tams upon which his demands had been saiisfactoril-
Set.
Mr. URQUHART.—How soon will you do that
Lead PALMERSTON.—In a few days.
ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS.

Mr. HORSMAN said the ri hon. gentleman, the
Secretary of State for the Home , had stated a
few nights since that a measure wag prepared with reference
to the abuses of the eccieshatical marts. He wished to
know whether it was in such • state as to, enable the right
bon. gentleman to give • synopsis of its provisions to the
house ?
Sir G. GREY replied that his newer on a former night
had Pot then orotredirstated by the boo. gentleman who had
asked the question. EL answer had been, that • measure us
Ilkkeablect was in reataniplafion, but that it bad net, as yeti
boss prepared ; end, therefore, it would be premature on the
resist occasion to enter either into its principle or details.
Tr. bill, however, was in an advanced state of preparation.
Mr. HUMS said that perhaps the nett hon. gentleman
wpald have no objection to 'timer this question, Whether
the bill would have the affect of abolishing the ecclesiastical
courts altogether ? That was the point.
Sir G. GREY raid he should be rotting a bad example
were he to enter into any details. (Hear.)