The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-02 00:00:00

THE THAMES EMBANKMENT.

Mr. BENTINCK sailed attention to the appointment of
a commission to examine into the subject of the embank-
ment of the Thames, and protested against the outlay of
general public money on purely metropolitan improvements.
Mr. W. COWPER said that the subject on which the
commiasion bad to inquire was one of general importance.
It was the result of the inquiries of the select committee
of last year, which had recommended an embankment of
the Thames, but had not entered into the details of any
plan, which it was the object of the commission to do.
SYRIA.

Mr. MONSELL asked whether the noble lord the Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs was prepared to lay on the table
any further papers relative to the affairs of Syria.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the last paper he had
received relative to the affair, of Syria was the convention
entered into by the five powers with the Ottoman Porte,
sod which had been laid on the table at the commencement
of the session. With regard to the negotiations, he could
not consistently with the interests of the public service we
any information at present, as disci:Woos were still
on at Beyrout, Constantinople, and Paris. He ha
however, that before Easter, or immediately after, ha
should be able to lay oa the table further papers relative
to the affairs of Syria, and these papers would metals the
reports of the consuls to Sir H. Bulwer. He would take
that opportunity to answer part of the question which had
been asked him on the previous evening by the hoe.
member for Horsham, with regard to the part which had
been taken by the French government. The bon.
member had asked whether any representation or
note had been addressed by the Russian ambassador
to the Porte, and whether that note had been supported by
the French ambassador. He had no means then of answer-
ing the question, but Lord Cowley had received from M. de
Thouvenel information that the French ambassador had not
interfered in any way in the matter, either in seconding the
proposal or in giving has opinion. The only thing that the
French ambassador did was to express a hope that the re-
forms promised by the Sultan would be speedily introduced,
and that thus the necessity of the meeting of ambassadors
which had been proposed by Sir H. Bulwer might be
obviated.

The motion for the adjournment until Monday was then
agreed to.
TRANSPORTATION.

Mr. CHILDERS raw to move for the appointment of a
select committee to inquire into the present system of
transportation—its utility, economy, and effect upon cofo•
nisation ; and to report whether any improvements could
be eflected therein.

The HOME SECRETARY assented to the motion,
maintaining, at the same time, that the system of se-
condary punishment now existing in this country was, on
the whole, as satisfactory and worked as well as could justly
be expected under the complicated difficulties with which
all such questions were euvironed.
After some remarks from Mr. Hors and Mr. Bunn, the
motion was agreed to.

BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.

Admiral Diiii&iiiiiiroset7,;;;; for • select com-
mittee to inquire into the constitution of the Board of
Admiralty, and the various duties devolving thereon ; also
as to the general effect of such system in the navy. He
said that the lengthened dismission of last night
had in a great mesure foresouled the debates which
might otherwise have taken place upon this motion.
Admiral WALCOTT seconded the motion. He mid he
understood it would not be opposed. He thought it would
be impossible to oppose it, without substituting some other
inquiry. Discontent had risen to an alarming height in the
navy, but he trusted that in the end it would-be found that
truth would be made plain, and would prevail, in this
question.
Lord C. PAGET observed that the present Board of
Admiralty had always courted investigation, and intimated
that the present motion was brought forward not only
with their concurrence, but, to some extent, at their special
instance. He challenged the courtesy of Sir J. Pakington
in [having interposed • notice of motion on the subject,
couched in terms implying • censure on the Admiralty
without previously giving to the government the usual in-
formation of his intention. He vented to the motion.

Sir J. PAKINGTON denied that, according-toiL;prae -
lice of the house, any independent member was called on to
unlike the government acquainted with his intention to bring
forward a motion for a select committee, or on any other
subject. The charge was preposterous. Regarding the
motion before the house, he considered that the principal
point of inquiry by the proposed committee related to the
very unsatisfactory position of the First Lord as the head
of ills Board of Admiralty.
Sir F. BARING expected little benefit from the appoint-
ment of the committee, and contended that in many cases
the Admiralty had been unjustly and ignorantly assailed.
It had become a habit to drag into public notice every real
or supposed fault which the Admiralty committed. Quite
as many errors and blunders would, he was persuaded, be
found in the management of the French navy, or of private
establishments, if they were scrutinised as remorselessly.
Mr. HENLEY said that the great object to be attained
was to secure in combination a maximum of efflcieocy and
responsibility in the Board of Admiralty. Many of the
schemes proposed for reforming the system were, in his
opinion, delusive, and many of the blunders laid to its
charge had not been mortal ; but as the representatives,
both of present and defunct boards, concurred in recom-
mending inquiry, he presumed that the existence of some
faults was admitted, and that a reconstruction of the ma-
chine was thought necessary.
The discussion was continued by Mr. Bentinck, Mr.
Coniogham, and Sir C. Wood.
Mr. DISRAELI deprecated any change of the system
which might take the control over the Admiralty out of
the House of Commons.

After aome -oiecTrTratioos In reply by Admiral BUN-
COMBE, the motioo wa. agreed to.
SALARIES AND PENSIONS.

Mr. WHITE moved for a return of all pence. in
England, Scotland, and Ireland receiving salaries, pensions,
pay profit, fee., emoluments, allowance*, or granta of
public money, in the year I WO, the amount of which ex.
nods 1501. (the form and particulars to be in conformity
with Parliamentary Paper, No. COI. of session 18-19).
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER suggested that
u the expense of printing the return would he very con-
siderable, the boo. member should limit it to incomes
above 400/. or 509/.. . . . .

Mr. WHITE objected to do en, as such a limitation
wnuld in his opinion destroy the comparative statistical value
of the return.

ill; return wu then agreed to.
TRAMWAYS (IRELAND).
Leave wu given to Mr. Burt to bring in a bill to amend
the Tramways (Ireland) Act.
The second reading of the Post-office Savings Banks Bill
was postponed until Tuesday next.