The Express.
London, England, 1860-05-05 00:00:00

FOR SHIPPING.

Sir & NORTHCOIt gave notice that on Monday he
should move for a return of the charges against the East
Internment in respect of the steam shipping of the
ment used for In dbug purposes from the lit
April, 18renttiithe 31st March, 1860, and that he should
ask a question on the subject.
CORPORAL PUNLSMILENT.

On the motion iof Mr. STANLEY, an address was agreed
to for a return from each gaol In the United Kingdom of all
CANON in which corporal punishment has been inflicted by
order of the visiting justices ; specifying the offence for
which such punishment has been given ; the number of
lashes, and how delivered, if in public or private ; the name
and ago of the persona punished ; for the last three years ;
and, also, a similar return of all persons who have received
omwral punishment by order of justices in quarter sessions;
stating for what offence it was ordered ; the number of
lashes, and how carried into effect, if in public or private ;
for the last three years.
CANAL COMPANIES AND RAILWAY COMPANIES.

Mr. BKAMISH asked the President of the Board of
Trade if it was the intention of the government to renew the
Cheap Trains Amendment Act of 1848e1
Mr. N. GIBSON was understood to reply that it was in-
tended to bring in a bill to renew that act.
MISCELILANEOUS QUESTIONS.
A variety of questions were put by Mr. B. Cochrane, Sir
H. Cairns, Sir J. Acton, Mr. Palk, Mr. Balllie, Mr. Hen-
nessy, and Mr. Bowyer.
Lord J. RIJSSELI,—After the various questions that
have been put to me I will not enter into • discussion with
the hen. member for King's County as to the general policy
of her Majesty's government in Italy. (Hear, hear.) The
first question is in relation to our commercial interests in
Japan. Since the papers which have been laid on the table
were received, other despatches have reschodthis country of
great interest and importance. In forming new eoniniuni-
nations for trading with • country where trade has been
hitherto almost unknown there have been unavoidably very
considerable difficulties. One of those was the state of the
currency in Japan. While the proportion iu value of gold
to silver in this country has been as 1 to 13, or thereabouts,
the proportion in Japan was as 1 to 3. Therefore it
must evidently be • very profitable business for
British inerekikuits or their agents in Japan to
obtain a quantity of silver, and with that silver topurebase
gold and export it. This trade naturally excited • good
deal of apprehension and objection on the part of the
Japanese government. However, lam happy to say that
that government has taken a sensible course upon the sub-
ject, and has made the relative proportions of gold and
silver the same an have been adopted generally in European
countries. There have been various other occurrences,
and more than one, lam marry to say, of a very tragical
nature. For instance, the murder of Limbir I. the servant
of the British MI.IOII. He
i was a native of Japan, and
having passed several years n the United States, he was
master both of the Japanese and English laugoacee. His
conduct, it seems, provoked a great deal of animority on
the part of the Japanese, sod he, on his side, when assail
by them, was not slow to retort, and thereby very
strong feelings were excited. The consequence was that,
one day, as he we standing close to the door of the mission
house, two or three persons came upon hint and stabbed
him, and instant death was the result. Of course
this excited great indignation amongst the English,
and Mr. Adcock insisted upon the assassins
being Fmecuted or given up. The intercourse was inter-
rupted thereby; ant when the last accounts came away,
Mr. Aloock, while representing the difficulties as very great,
and that apprebenrions of murder and massacre taking
place still existed, yet expresses a hope that the difficulties
will be overcome, and that the trade will be resumed. At
the same time it should be stated that that trade has been
almost entirely in Japanese products, in return for silver
exported. It does not appear that there has been
hitherto any similar demand, or indeed any de-
mand at all, for British manufactured goods. That
was the cue when the last acceunta left. An
to the protection of British interests, there are, of
course, ships on the station ; but as they cannot come
within four or lye miles of Yodel°, they cannot he on the
spot when required But whenever the admiral is able to
spare ships I have no doubt he will give that protection
which British subjects require. I quite agree with the