The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-05 00:00:00

PUNISHMENT OF A SOLDIER.

Mr. Alderman SALOMONS asked the Secretary of State
for War if there was any truth in the report that a soldier
at Woolwich had been scrubbed with sand, u s punishment
for some barrack offence ; and, if true, whether any inquiry
into the circumstances had been instituted by the %Vat-
°Moe.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said it was true that a soldier at Wool-
wich had been punished in the way described. He under.
stood that the sergeant-major who ordered the punishment
had been dismissed by the Commander-in-Chief. The in-
quiry ordered into the circumstances had not yet termi-
nated. If it should be necessary to hare • further inquiry,
the War-offlee would see that such an inquiry took place.

COMMERCIAL TREATY WITH BELGIUM.
In reply to Mr. 8. BILLUMONT

Mr. I:XYARD said, as the treaty with Belgium had not
been ratified, it could not be submitted to the house, but be
would state to his hoe. friend the nibetance of the treaty.
It was a treaty of navigation and of commerce, and contained
with regard to this country what was usually called the
most favoured nation clause, with one exception, which he
would state. By the treaty, English vessels were placed on
the same footing as regarded Wong* and other dues as
Belgian vessels, and were entitled to the name privileges.
By another article the coasting trade was conceded to British
visuals in return for our coasting trade being conceded to
Belgian vessels. No transport dues were to be levied on
goods. The prohibition as regarded gunpowder still re-
mained. Protection was given to this country as regarded
trade marks, patterns, and models. The article relating to
1 these matters would come into operation one year after the
' signing of the treaty, and the regulations which existed in
both countries in regard to trade marks, patterns, and
models must he complied with. British vetoed' were to be
exempted from the payment of the Scheldt dues, so long as
Belgian ships were exempted from those dues. Pilotage
dues were to be reduced 25 per cent on vessels towed,
and 30 per cont. on steamers. lonian vessels were
to enjoy the same privileges as British vessels,
so long as the logien authorities conceded similar
privileges to Belgian vessels, The treaty was to continue
m force for 10 years, to be terminable at one year's notios
after that period.

THE AMERICAN WAR. PRAYER ORDERED BY
THE BISHOP OF OXFORD.

Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked the Secretary of State for the
Horne Department whether his attention had been directed
to ea injunction, published in the Tines of August 1, from
the Bishop of Oxford, se ordinary, to the archdeacons of his
diocese, requesting them to communicate to the clergy of
their respective archdesiconries an official command to use a
prayer at the conclusion of the Nicene Creed with regard to
the war in Arneriat. And, whether such a proceeding was
not a violation of the Act of Uniformity, by adding to the
prayers cootained is the Prayer Book ; and, if so, whether
her Majesty's government were prepared to take any steps
to prevent a violation of the law.
Mr. CLIME answered the question in the absence of the
Home Secretary, who was in attendance upon her Majesty
in Scotland. He said it appeared to him that the prayer
did Dot involve any addition to the Rubric, and coins-
gamily no violation of the Act of Uniformity, but it was
one to be used at the discretioo of the members of a con-
gregation during the pelage between two parts of the service.
If this rower was Dot satisfactory the hon. member could
repeat his questioe as Thursday.
llr. SEYMOUR gave notice that he would again put the
question oa that day.