The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-20 00:00:00

THE CATASTROPHE AT TORTOLA.

In reply to Mr. W. E. Fort.srEn,

Mr. AbDERLEY stated that no later information
bad been received at the Colonial-office than
appeared in the papers of that day. A tele-
gram had been received from New York of yesterday's
date, but it was only short and imperfect. That there was
• great disaster on the 29th of October there was no
doubt, but it was much exaggerated. The loss of life in
Tortola was occasioned by • fire which occurred during the
hurricane and not by submersion. The name of one
family which perished was given, but it was not
very legible. The telegram which was sent to the
New York /braid stated that 10,000 lives had been de-
stroyed in Tortola, but the total number of inhabitants
amounted to only 3,000.

THE ADDRESS.
The report on the address was brought up.
On the question that it be received,
Admiral WALCOT expressed his regret at the necessity
of sending an expedition to Abyssinia, but he hod no
doubt that the troops eugaged would do their duty as they
always had done.
Mr. D. GRIFFITH complained of the exercise of the
prerogative of the crown in proclaiming war without first
consulting the House of Commons, which was only called
together to vote money after the country had been com-
mitted to a policy.
Mr. WHALLEY wished that the reference made in the
speech from the throne to the Abyssinian expedition had
been more precise. As it stood it was vague, unsatisfac-
tory, and unpractical He thought it should have been
stated that an accredited representative of the nation bad
been imprisoned, and as a consequence of such imprison-
; went that Illassowah or some other port on the cosset of
Abyssinia should be taken where our representative could
I exercise his functions. It was &heard to say that an army
should be sent for the liberation of her Majesty's subjects.
Mr. MAGUIRE expressed regret that no reference bad
been made to Ireland in the Queen's speech. With regard
, to the execution of the men now left for execution in
; Manchester all be would say was that there was a feeling
in Ireland and even in England that the sentence of death
should not be carried out, if for no other reason than this—
'that the case of the crown had broken down in reference to
seen who had been charged with the same offence as
the persons who were under sentence of death
He appealed to the Home Secretary and the government
not to be led away in this matter by irritated feelings or
by threats, but to act in accordance with the calm judg-
ment which should guide the heads of a great nation. The
hon. gentleman then referred to the position of the Papal
States, and said that was a question which ahonld be
left to the catholic powers. He denied that there was
any hostility to the Pope in Rome, and that was admitted
by the correspondents of the protestant papers of this
country. The Emperor of the French was bound by honour
and by treaty to protect the Pope.
Lord STANLEY said that having already stated what
was the position of the government in reference tothe tem-
poral power of the Pope. he should not refer to it again.
With regard to the feeling of the Roman population he would
only observe that the bon. gentleman did not say that he
would be ready to leave the decision of the existence of
that power to the people of that city. With regard to the
suggestion of the hon. member for Peterborough, he might
observe that it was one which be was not prepared to
Ifollow.
The report was then read.

On tbe'ruotion of Mr. M'CULLAGH TORRENS leave
was given to bring in a bill to make provision for better
dwellings for artisans and labourers in great towns.
The house adjourned at 25 minute* pan one.

- - ---- -
THE RIOTS IN DEVONSHIRE.

EXETER, 'TvesDAT NICHT.

The intermediate sessions for the county of
Devon were commenced to-day before Earl Devon and a
full bench of justices. There were no less than 70 prison-
' ere for trial—a number without precedent in the history
lof the county, the average number at the corresponding
sessions for the five preceding years being 20. The extra-
ordinary number had been caused by the recent riots in
various districts of the county, which the noble chairman
said in his charge to the grand jury were utterly inexpli-
cable. His lordship pointed out the law bearing on the
offence, and said nothing could justify the disgraceful
scenes which had been enacted. The trials were then
proceeded with, the court and its avenues being
crowded. Edward Drew, 27, labourer ; George Webber,
17, labourer ; Mary Wotton (on bail), and Martin Sweeny,
20, a labourer, were the first batch tried. They were indicted
for riot and disturbing the public pesos at Newton Abbot
on Nov. 5. Mr. Holdswerth and Mr. Clarke prosecuted.
Prisoners were undefended. It was proved that the pri-
soners assisted in sacking bakers' shops and destroying
property after the reading of the riot act. Sentence in
each case was deferred, all the prisoners being found
guilty. The trial of the Crediton and Barnstaple rioters
will be proceeded with to-morrow morning.