The Express.
London, England, 1861-05-14 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY

of the House supply. During the inquiry into
precedents which arose out of the rejection of the
Paper Bill by the Lords the conviction forced
itself on the minds of influential men on both
sides of the House that the rightful control of the
Commons over supply had of late years been inju-
riously weakened. Mr. WstroLs, indeed, as Sir
Jams GIAHAM reminded tho House last night,
not only called special attention to this circum-
stance in his draft Report as Chairman of the
Committee, but formally recommended that in
order to regain some of the power that had been
lost, the plan which the Government has this year
pursued should be adopted. "It must be re-
" membered," says the right hon. gentleman in
his Report, " that the power of the House over
" matters of Supply and all matters relating
" thereto is very much weakened by dealing with
" them in separate Bills, instead of uniting them
"as much as possible in one measure, so as to
" form the financial arrangement of the year."
Sir JAVIS UILARAM gave this quotation to the
House, and forced home the seasonable advice it
suggests by the most cogent and convincing
reasons. Indeed his speech was a masterly and
unanswerable vindication on constitutional grounds
of the course which the Government has pursued
in framing the financial scheme now before the
House. The right honourable gentleman stated
at the outset his strong conviction that this course
was sanctioned by usage, right in policy, and one
which the House ought on all grounds to adopt.
The fact of usage and authority was established by
the most ample and decisive precedents. One of
these alone would in fact have sufficed to justify
the plan now adopted. In 1787, Mr.
Par included the substance of more than
two thousand resolutions in • single bill.
This Bill repealed many duties and granted many
others. A motion made in the Commons to
divide, the Bill was, after full discussion, rejected.
" In the House of Lords," Sir Jtmss continues,
" an objection was taken that their independence
" was invaded by such a combination of multifari-
" ous matter in one Bill, but the arguments against
" the Bill were resisted, and it was carried by the
" Lords upon a division. This was • Bill which
" enacted and repealed taxes." The practice of
including the greater part of the financial mea-
sures of the year in a single Bill continued during
the early part of the present century ; and Sir
JAien GRAHAM seasonably urges that the novelty
of the course pursued by the House of Lords last
session justifies the Commons in reverting to an
ancient and established practice. This course, too,
but gives practical effect to a resolution passed
unanimously by the House last year :—" That
"in order to guard for the future against any
" undue exercise of power by the House of Lords,
" and to secure to the Commons their rightful
" control over taxation and supply, this House has
" in its own hands the power so to impose and
" remit taxes and to frame bills of supply that
" the right of the Commons as to matter, manner,
" measure, and time may be preserved inviolate."
What more decisive or triumphant vindication of
the plan which the Government has adopted in
framing the Budget for the year could be desired
or devised ? The Bill wl•ich the Tories are op-
posing is not only sanctioned by usage, but re-
commended by manifold considerations of policy
and convenience, and it will be affirmed by the
House. Contrary to the general desire, if not the
general expectation, the debate was last night ad-
journed, for what object or with what hope does
not appear. The great constitutional speeches
had been made. Lord Rosser Oxen had, though
with some difficulty, paid such tribute as his is
capable of offering to Mr. Gianeroxs, and the
question was ripe for • division. But Mr. Mamma
thought otherwise, and the Government had no
personal reasons for refusing him as much time as
he desires for making the poverty of his cause
more and more conspicuous.

gig Court.

wurrz LODGE, RICHMOND•PARK, MAT 13.

The Queen sod irincem Alice drove to Kew-
pram this aiondag. The Prince Comers accompanied
her Majesty cm bombast, attended by Colonel Biddulph.
Her Majesty bold • Osmicil at 1 o'clock, at the White
Lodge, at which were present the Prince Consort, Earl
Glanville, Viscount Absentee, Lord John Rassell,
George Grey, the Right Hon. E. Cardwell, the Earl of /34.
Germans, and Viscount Sydney.
Mr. A. Helps, the clerk of the Privy Council, attended.
Earl Granville and Viscount Palmerston had audiences of
her Majesty.

The Swiss Federal Connell have appointed the Statiitical
Section of the Depert-nent of the Interior at Berne as the
coramiaaioe to represent the interests of exhibitors from
Switheriasd et the latereatioeud Exhibition of 1862.
Deepatebes were reeetved yesterday at the Colonial-offior
hewn the governors of the Wait India Ithods, of the settle-
ments on the Week Oast of Africa, Yalta, New Zealand,
Australia, Coyle., end Harm Hews.

The Duchess of Atholl has arrived at the St.
Clamp's Hotel.

The Marquis Camden has fixed Friday, the 24th
inst., for an evening party. sad Thane:Jay, the 6th June,
fora ball, at 16, Grosvenor-Dawn.

The Earl and Counters Craven and family come
to town to-morrow, from Aandowaa Park, Barka, for the
~OIL

The Countess of Winchilses hes left the St.
Georre's H 0461.

The Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., and Mn,.
Cowper left town yesterday morning, for Brighton, on
receipt of intwllsgeoce of the serious Moses of Lady
Tollemaehe.

Lady Hogg has issued cards for an assembly on
the 16th instant, at her !linkmen in Ouitoeliardeise.

Sir Frederick and the Hoe. Lady Smythe have
arrived at 24, Doveratreet, for the MP/0C

Sir George and Miss Grant Suttie's ball will
lake place oo Monday, June 3, at 25, Groevenoruquare.
Lady Franklin, the widow of Sir John Franklin,
Use peat arrtii: explorer, has been visiting California sag
British Columbia.

On Friday Viscount Palmerston will move "that
honer, at its rising, do adjourn till Thursday next."
The Privy Council will meet this day at Rich-
mond, the temponuy residence of her Majesty, far the pu-
pae of obtaining the royal sanction to the order in council
or proclamation which the government, acting upon the ad.
vies of its law ofters. is about to issue with respect to the
duties and obligations of British subjects during the con.
test which unhappily afflicts the onto United States of
America. We (Poe) believe that the forthcoming procla-
mation will simply contain • warning in the terms of the
Foreign Enlistment Act, a warning which is highly nem-
, iry at • time when the agents of the southern confedera-
tion are busy in this country, not only in chartering vessels,
but is purchasing arms and munitions of war.
_ .

The glinfoirgh Courant says :—" Mr. Millais,
in fillies up a group of those exquisitely draws figura
which have reodored hie works so very highly valued, wan
tune ago took a model of a hills girl, remarkable for her
classic fineness of feature, a pupil at the lodustrial school at
Perth. The painter is about to give the finishing touch to
the picture ; and the little 'Far Maid' the other day set
out to Loudon, that be may have the benefit of a final sit-
ting before removing the work from the easel."

It is ninioure I that M. de Lessem has just re•
turned from Egypt to Paris, to rain further funds for the
prosecution of the Sues Cabal. According to some
accounts about 800,0001. has already been speot without
adequate result, en expeolive dyke on the Mediterranean
side having been washed away,

Captain Britton, who formerly commanded the
European and American Company's steamer Eason, tag
been appointed by Peasideet Lincoln America ocerel at
the port of Southampkom

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

OST RIOTTIeII IMMO
AMERICA.

NEW YORK, APIUL 30.

Telegraphic communication between New York
and Washington has been re-established, and
regular travelling communication between Balti-
more and Philadelphia has been reopened.
The capital is said at present to be occupied by
18,000 armed men, and considered safe from any
attack. The prospects of an immediate collision are
thus diminished.

A reactionary feeling has taken place in Balti-
more, and there appears to be a disposition cn the
part of the conservative citizens to rise and take
the power from the hands of the mob.

The Governor of Maryland has sent an import-
ant message to the legislature, in which he states
that he has used all means in his power to prevent
the passage of Northern troops through the state,
but that, in reply to all his protests, President
Lincoln informed him that Washington was
threatened with attack, that the government had
resolved to defend it, and that there was no other
way of obtaining troops but by passing them over
the soil of Maryland. That when an irresponsible
mob attacked the Northern troupe in Baltimore,
be used all his power to preserve the
peace. He states, notwithstanding the fact
that the most intelligent citizens admit the
right of the government to transport its troops
across the soil, that a portion of the people are
opposed to the exercise of this right ; that the
safety of Maryland lies in preserving a neutral posi-
tion between the North and the South; and he
counsels Maryland not to take sides against the
general government unless it should commit
outrages which would justify the state in resisting
its authority. He had hoped that Maryland and
the other border slave states, by their conserve-
, tive position and love for the Union, might have
acted as mediators between the extreme sections of
North and South. He advises the people to
array themselves for union and peace, so that if
there must be war the contending parties may be
forced to transfer the field of battle from the soil
of Maryland, and concludes by stating that the
geographical position of Maryland forces her to
take this course, unless the people are willing to
see the state made the theatre of a long and bloody
civil war.

The levy of troops and war preparations continue
with great zeal throughout the Northern States,
and Southern advices report that large bodies of
troops for the Confederate States are raising in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina. The Governor of Vir-
ginia has issued the following proclamation :
" Whereas volunteers are simultaneously tendering
their services in person from all parts of the state,
without waiting for orders as they were required
to do by a former proclamation, and are
repairing to Richmond, without previous notice,
at great expense to the Commonwealth, and
before suitable provision has been made for their
accommodation, and before their services are re-
quired, therefore this proclamation is to require all
companies not now in Richmond, and not ordered
here or elsewhere, to remain at their homes, hold-
ing themselves simply in readiness for service until
ordered by competent authority.
" Gi ren under my hand, kc.,
(Signed) "Joins Lrreaza."

And according to Washington advice' he had also
informed President Lincoln that no troops from
Virginia would be permitted to march upon the
capital, or interfere with it in any m►nner ; that
his object and purpose, as also that of Virginia, is
to defend the soil of the old dominion from egres-
sion from the north, and that he would not permit
troops from the confederate states to cross Virginia
to attack Washington.
A despatch from Harrisburg states that Lord
Lyons, a few days since, despatched his first secre-
tary to the Montgomery government on important
business, and it was understood that be carried
information to Jefferson Davis as to the position
that England intends to assume towards the con-
federate government.
Reports from Charleston state that Fort Sumter
was being repaired with the greatest expedition,
and it was expected soon to be in thorough good
order, and as sound ea before the bombardment.
President Lincoln has issued a proclamation
for the blockade of the ports of Virginia
and North Carolina, in addition to the Southern
ports which were ordered to be blockaded in his
previous proclamation.

A despatch from Washington, dated April 27, to
the Associated Prom, states :
"Some excitement has been produced in diplomatic cir-
cles, growing out of the proclamation of the President
detecting a blockade of the Southern ports. It appears that
a blockade, to be respected by foreign powers,
must not only be effective, but that due notice
must be given of such intention to their re-
presentatives. With Brasil and all South American
governments, • notice of ninety days is required under
treaty. Bat this has not been given by our government.
Hence consignments of coffee and other natural product.
designed for Southern ports are delayed in their trans-
portation to that portion of the country, the merchants
Mg being satiated of the effects of immediate
blockade. It has, therefore, become necessary
that specific inquiries be made of the Federal government
in relation to this subject, so that treaty rights and
privileges be not damaged. The foreign ministers will
issist that the stipulations shall be respected and
observed, otherwise naval forces will be despatched
hither sa a means of foreign protection. The
delicacy of the question is apparent, and from what
is known it may involve serious ommequenose to all con-
cerned, and at all event. produce trouble now, as well as
is the future.

A Montgomery correspondent of the Charleston
Currier writes :

The Attorney• General, Mr. Benjamin, authorises me to
may that the conunissions for privateers are being pre
pared, and will be issued as soon as emigres' shall declare
war, which it will undoubtedly do. Those intimding to apply
for them had better be preparing their bonds, &c. The in-
structions will contain a prohibition on the seizure of cotton
from southern ports, whether in British or American
bottoms.

The application for letters of marque are ',lmmune at
New Orleans. I understand the blockade of our Southern
pats ordered by President Lincoln dues not include cotton
vessels.

There is a report current that an ordinance of
accession has been passed by the Tennessee Con-
vention in secret session.

The following absurd despatch from Washington
was published by the Phi add/ Press, and has
been copied into all the New York papers :

Wasbingtaa, April 26.

It is stated by the beet authority that Lord Lyons, the
British Minister, sent a special messenger to detain the
steamer Persia at New York until full devatches could
be forwarded by him to the home government. Lord
Lyons is advised, I uoderetaad, to proffer to the
Baited States government, for the nipprenion of
the slave state rebellion, arms and ammunition,
and troops from England ►nd Canada. By the Persia he
seat out orders fur 100,000 stand of the improved Mimi
inakets and fur a vut number of the celebrated rifled
canyon. Orders in future are not to be fulfilled in England
for the rebel government for arms, or ammunition, or ships
of war.

It 1• believed that an lain& sad Free& fleet will be

sent to the Southern ports at an early day, to oweperate
with the United States fleet in the blockade of sissistes
pucka

Louie Nepsheeo has joined with Victoria to sapprees the
Slave State rebellion. Lie stated that his offers of service
to President Lincoln are now on their way to Washington.
It b hoped here that Yancey sad his confederate traitors
will le. seised by Frame and &gland, and sent to the United
BMWs to be tried and hung under the extradition treaties.
Orders have been issued, it is reported, to the Governor
General of Owed& to otter to the United States men and
arms.

The New York Herald publishes advises from
San Domingo, stating that great excitement pre-
vailed in ;Hayti in consequence of the action of
Spain ; and the Haytien government had pro-
tested against what is termed the innova-
tion of Spain. It was feared that Spain
would be demanding all the territory acquired in
conquest by the Haytiens from the Dominicans
during the last fifteen years, and in that case the
Haytiens would resist to the death.
The New York Herald money article, speaking
of the cotton crop, says that it is probable tre-
mendous efforts will be made by the planters of
the South to produce cotton in spite of the obsta-
cles raised by the war crisis, and that it is probably
fair to infer that these efforts will result in the
production of a crop in 1861, which, though pro-
bably far short of the great crops of 1858, 1859,
and 1860, will not compare unfavourably with the'
crops of ten years ago, and which with the increased
supplies from other sources will not leave the
manufacturing world destitute of this essential
staple.
Very numerous failures have taken place among
the dry goods houses of New York.
A correspondent of the New York Ezprrss,
writing from Norfolk, describes the conflagra-
tion of the government ships and navy yard at
Norfolk as one of the most terrific sights
I ever witnessed ; one of the vessels destroyed,
the Merrimac, cost 1,200,000 dole., and was one of
the finest ships in the American navy. The other
ships destroyed were not so valuable, but very ex-
pensive. A splendid ship, the New York, was
burnt on the stocks with the houses themselves.