The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-17 00:00:00

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
ADVERTISEMENT DUTY.

Yr. 11. OIBSON Ballad the attestiea of Chaseellor
of the Exchequer to the reeelatioa coaceraiai the @elver-
tiseseut ditty. la t►at realutios be (the Maaallor of
the Exchequer) proposed is reducing the duty to 6d., to
impose it epos advertisements is newspaper*, and also in
pamphlets and other works. These latter words be (Mr.
M. Gibson) understood to refer to books. Now at the pre-
seat time the advertisement duty was sot collected is re
speet to advertisements in books. He, therefor*, wished to
ask the Chancellor of the Bultequer whether he guest to
enforce the duty upon advertisement is the ewe of books,
and whether be intended to bring is say miesare to pro-
vide fbr the cellectiou of such a duty ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had so is-
Mahon of proposing any change as to the advertisement
duty, 'seeps the reduction to the rate of M.
Mr. Y. GIBSON asked theright hex. gentleman whether
he would mead his resolution so as more clearly to express
that etiew3

iIt•—CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER mid it
would be open to bins to *resider the language of the reso-
lution; at present he was advised that it did not bear the
construction which the right hon. gentleman (Illr. M.
Gibson) bad put upon it.
MR. KEOGH AND THE LATE GOVERNMENT.
Hr. KEOGH—In rising, Sir, to make the statement of
which I have given notice, I am sure I shall not ask in
vain the indulgent lineation of both aides of this house,
whilst I endeavour to defend myself against charges Ilt•
reaching my veracity and derogatory to my personal
honour, and I have that confidence because I have always
bbserved that no matter what may be our individual or
party (edicts, this hones receives fairly, kindly, and with •
generous disposition any emeaunicatioe whisk say of its
memben may be driven to make in vindication of his thane.
ter. It will be in the recollection of hon. lumbar, that en
Friday bat, In another place, there was a disenasioa carried on
in +bleb my name was brought much in question. That dis-
cussion originated with a noble marquis, to whom I only
now allude for the pupae of entirely passing him by.
(Laughter) He was followed by the noble earl
late at the head of her Majesty's government,
who in the course of his speech thought proper to as, that
he cmsidered my appointment to the office I now hold as a
meet unfortunate :immanence. Now, I say at once, that,
however painful it may be to my feelings to have heard
that observation made by wi ellatinguishei a person, yet I
do not conceive that there is as, Clung in that observation

which I would he entitled to challenge, as I am cow about
to challenge an observation from another person. The
noble earl was followed h another noble, and, as I have i
always heard, a very chivalrous, earl, and he was pleased o
say he considered that my appointment was the least rela-
table which had been made by the present Rove raiment. Now
I seared ly think that the expression to which I have alluded
is justified by any circumstance which the noble earl
can mention in deterioration of my character. I scarcely
think that there is any rank or station so exalted as to jus-
tify any person in pronouncing such no opinion upon state-
me ats conveyed at second band, after a lung period of time,
at least twelve menthe, conveyed by persons whose names
are nut mentioned—(chi era)—cons eyed evitheut any know-
ledge of the person aho is most interested in the inquiry.
I du wit think that such language is justified either in
this or in any other house, without some inquiry and some
opportunity being given fur the person so accused to explain
his conduct. But so it pleased the noble cart to pronounce
on my appointment. I was at the bar of the House of Lords,
and heard the words said. I immediately communicated with a
noble duke, who was kind and generous enough to undertake
my defence. 1 thought that the remarks ought not to have
proceeded from any one; but I confeu I was indeed sur-
prised that those observations were uttered by a noble earl
who had held the office of viceroy of Ireland when I knew,
and I shall prove before I sit down, upon incontro•
unit+, evidence, that the noble lord (Naas), who Pits
opposite to me, and who held the office of secretary to that
noble earl, had sought me with eagerness immediately on
the formation of his government—ichetrs)—had inquired
not of one or two, but of friend after friend, in his eager
haste to piece himself in communication with me, in order
that the communication which I shall presently mention
might be made by that noble lord. (Hear, hear) Now
the statement I then made is the same which I make now,
is that which the noble duke in another place made on my
behalf, is that which I have put upon the face of the letter
which, upon that evening, without aay kind of delibera-
tion, I wrote to the noble lord opposite from this house.
That statement is, that the noble lord having sought an in-
terview under circumstances which I shall presently detail,

did, at that interview, ask me would I accept °Mee under
Lord Derby's government ? I admit that that was rather a
perilous issue for one man to take with another man. I
confided, however, in the noble lord's honour, and I trusted
to the accuracy of his memory. Now, what are the circum-
stances which it is necessary for me to mention before I
proceed to read the documents? In the first place, it wilt be
in tho recollection of the house that the formation of
Lord Derby's government, till etl the appointments were I
concluded, occupied some nine or ten days. It was late in
those days that the noble lord was named as the Chief Seers.
tary for Ireland. It was necessaay for those who were en.
gaged in attendance on the house to make inquiry as to
political matters, but, I confess, at that time, not having the
remotest idea that I could be concerned in the formation of
Lord Derby's government, I took no interest in the subject.
However, my bon. friend the member fur Tipperary is in the
house, and be has communicated with the noble lord I be-
lieve lately. However, before the noble lord meting hewn so
anxious in his inquiries for me, he asked my hon.
friend the member for Tipperary to take him to my pri-
vate residence. He did not find me there, and he went
to the Reform Club, of which I was not a member at that
time. The noble lord had inquired at the Reform Club for
me. Ido not know whether that has escaped the memory
of the noble lord. The noble lord is silent. (Lord Naas :
No.) At all events, I can refresh the memory both of the
noble lord and the house on the subject. The noble lord
went to the Reform Club, and baring been informed I was
not a member of the club, he inquired for other friends of
mine there, and he waited in that hall, which, when mi-
nisters are changing, is a sort of political encampment.
Well, the noble lord did not find me there, and he was
extremely anxious to meet me, because immediately after-
wards he made two visits to the club to which I did belong.
But as the circumstances which occurred there are men-
tioned in the letter which I have to read I will take
the liberty of reading it now :
" Reform Club, Friday Evening.
" Dew. Lord Naas—l have just returned from the bar of
the House of Lords, where I beard Lord Eglinton state that
bo considered ray nomination to the office. I now hold, the
beet reputable of those made by the present government.
tripMli bearing this I at once communicated with the Duke
ag seweastle, and authorised him to state that immediately
woe the ahem. of government in the year 1852, and he-
irs the minleterial arrangements of Lord Derby had been
sempleard, I was sated by your lordship whether I would
accept office under Lord Derby's government, • question
which I had answered in the negative. The Duke of New-
Nene stated this to their lordships, and thereupon Lord
Derby, in the most explicit manner, denied that he had
ever authorised any such proceeding, and 1, therefore set
once address you. It will be in your recollection, therefor,
shortly after I,ord Derby had undertaken the formation of
his ministry, you ailed at my club at least twice, on the one
day, leaving on each occasion your card, and subsequently
a note requesting to see me at your house upon the follow-
ing morning. I oalt'd, but did not mu you, as you after-
wards informed me, by some mistake on the pert of your
servant, and you spin wrote requesting that I should call
upon you. I did so, and after some convevation
of no importance you stated that you had been directed to
ask me whether I wield accept ofte under Lord Derby's
government. I jestingly asked you if you intended to
make me Chancellor of the Exchequer, President of the
Beard of Control, or some such offer. Yoe replied that you
W asked me a serious questioo. and expected a serious an-
swer. I reminded • you that you had not stated by
when authority you put the question, and you replied
MI Mier Beruford's desire, adding that he was in comma.
shades with Lori Darby. (Laughter.) I then told you
that it was I=mm* to Join Lord Derby's govern-
ment. Me* having subsequently spoken to me
he • depessialle Isucuttlet opposition I thought it my
duty to Ilitelleiduenilqr s government in the Hove of
Orikame. isabial aft den I expressed my surprise at
IM I lad beet asked to take
was by
Ise. sea/ bet my hostility the more as ho was the
poses who had with Lord Derby in referent* to my
same. (Hear, With the distinct reeolisetion of
these fasts on soy miked, I need searealg say how much
Lord DueWe deebonlima emprisail me. sod I have there-
fore to august that year lesablpos a smatter of justice to
me, will, is reply, state that the aanaties I have given of
say intervkw with you is sithelestially sernet. Our friend
Mr. Anthony O'Flaherty was aware of your calling upon
me at sty club. I showed labs your notes as I received
them, and within half as hear after our interview ounntu-
sleeted le him the deans et our oonvenation. I have now

read to am We Maur, aadbeperfectly ritheare with a as
to the eseeney of sty reeolleetiost.-1 remits, dear Lord
Naas, yews faithfully, " Wu.t.thrt &room.
.• To Lord Nam."

I think whatever elm that letter does, the latter matinee
which I ham read, sad which I hate read in Ma preemies
of my has Mead dm member far Galway, disposes of the
Mao while was raised by the aside earl is mother place,
that this Imam was for the lost time raised after my ap-
pMalmaat te the ales whish I saw boa I ant that letter
to the aoldelsed wpm Friday amain. I bad uo reason to
think that tho mak bid was ass is tows. I had seen bias
myself near tows as the inevisas day. I waited Batarday,
and ',towards Mein& net meeiriag a reply, I in-
quired if the mills iced had arrived at hie club.
I was told Do had me, but he was espeetod. I
waited till Sunday. No easwer. Oa Sunday. beialil/
anxious that the matter should Do decided here—(
Naas, "Mar, Nor. ') TM mkt* lord Meets; is tits noble
lead saailas that it shoal/ he &died hero ? Has the noble
lei losa &dross that the whets el this bailey should
seam halm this home, the prow sound t tee Ito been
of that minim Mai the esemeammam—was Its of that
opinion yesterday—was he if that 'Maim today was he
on half as hoar ago t Oa Monday I wrote mother totter
to the noble lard, which is is these words

" Rekem Club, Monday.
"Dear Lord Naas,-1 addressed a letter to you on Fri-
day evening to the Carlton, and on inquiry on Saturday
and yesterday was informed that you had not been in town.
I sailed this day at your how*' and was told that you are
still absent. May I bee she favour of a reply as soon as
possible after your arriveL—Dear Lord Naas, truly yam,
" Lord Naas. Wu.i.zam Ksoom."

11. ire the noble toed wee cost of towaToniihar-
day sad on Bendey, but be hid isbeimal to town ea Kea,
day, sad he had my two lotion babas be came to tltia
bosh, because the noble had asked, esitegh.
a Mead of alias in this bow 'Mew Ibis guidon was
likely to be brought before the Haw of Comatose. The
noble lord was in the division on that evening; he bad
my two letters ; it Is set neeessey to say that they regebed
an immediate reply. He had my second letter peemieg is
immediate answer, sad I had to wait till two Alba the
follow*/ day before the noble lord and a gallant Mead 01
his entered the some of his first visits, the Reform Club,
and dithered the letter which I shall read to the house :
" 4, Oroevenor-place, Tuesday.
" Deer Si,,—! only received your note last night, on my
retara to town after an absence of some days. I distinctly
deny that either direetlyor indirectly I made =offer of office
to yourself or to any of your friends, or that I had or that I
assumed i hat authority from any one so to do. As to the
interview which took place between us shoat the period to
which you refer, my recollection of it so essentially differs
from the venion given by yourself that I cannot admit its
accuracy or the deductions you seem to have drawn from
it.—Truly yours, NAAS.
"To W. Keogh, Eal."
Well, now, I my that no language can be more positive,
more precise, more comprehensive than the noble lord's
denial that he made sae any offer. Doe* the noble lord
mean by that denial to deny an offer of aloe, or does he
mean to deny what I asserted, that be asked me would I
accept office ? (Hear, hear.) If the noble lord means to
deny not only an offer of ode, but to deny the only thing
which I asserted, namely that he asked me, be being nomi-
nated as Chief Secretary for Ireland, would I accept office
ander Lord Derby's government, thea;erhat means the noble
lord's word, " indirectly 1" If it ran thas :—'• I distinctly
deny,"—leaving out "directly, of iadirectly,”—" that I
ever made you an offer of of ee," unquestionably it would
not be a denial of the question which I said was put
to me by the noble lord. But the noble lord
says that neither directly aor indirectly did he make me an ,
offer of office, and therefore lam to assume that the noble I
lord did not put to me the question which I stated he did.
Did the noble lord deny that he bad put the question—not
made the offer—that be had put the question by the direc-
tion of the right hon. gentleman the member for North
Essex (Major Beresfard)—does he deny that, or admit it,
or forget it? Aid I ask the right hon. member for North
&eel whether, amiss me at that door. be did not lead
me to the window of the division lobby, at a morning
sitting, and—l the the word not disrespectfully but as the
best for description—he did aot whiningly complain of the
attacks which I was making on the then government, ; and
when I stated to him that I had a perfect right to take
what course 1 thought proper, and expressed my surprise
at the remonstrance, did not the right honourable
gentleman sziy to me, "Of CZUTIN you have,