The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-15 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15, 1861.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT•

HOUSE OF LORDS.—Taus.soAy, FIB. 14.
The Lo RD CHANCELLOR took hie seat at 5 o'clock. Though
the Lords had been summoned on the occasion of a vote of
thanks being moved to the forces engaged in the bite opera-
tions in China, the attendance was comparatively thin at the
sitting of the house.
Several petitions were presented, chiefly against the aboli-
tion of church rates.

THE CASE OF MR. TCRNBULL.
The Marini.' of NOR.MANHY postponed the question of
which he had given notice in reference to the Cale of Mx.
Titration.

sußDlvismx OF BENEFICES.
Lord LTITELTON laid oa the table a bill for the sub-
division of benefices, and presented several petitions in its
favour.

The bill was read a first time.
HIGH COURT OF ADMIRALTY.
The LORD CHANCELLOR intnaluced a bill for the re-
gulation of this court. The noble and learned lord gave a
short outline of its provisions, and promised a more full ex'
planation on the second reading.
Thu bill was rand a first time.
VOTE OF THANKS TO THE FoRCIM IN CHINA.

Lord HERBERT of LEA moved the thanks at the
hones to the forms mpged in the Chines expedition. He
would sat enter into the muses of the war, or any topic
which might mate discussion. He described the principal
'male of the war, pointing out the admirable conduct of the
troops in their venous engagementa,and the spirit and caw.
age by which they bad achieved so meat a success in so
short • time. He adverted is terms of indignation to the
treachery of the Chimes towards the primmer! whom they
hod so =fairly taken, metending that it fully justified the
destruction of the Imperial Palace. He concluded by pro-
poerg
"That the thanks of this home be given to Lieutenant.
General Sir Hope Grant, G.C.8., Vice-Admiral Sir James
Hops, K.C.8., Major•Generd Sir John Michell, K.C.13.,
Xmara:lemetil Sir Robert Napier, K.C.8., Rear-Admiral
Lewis Tobias Jones, C. 8., for the distinguished skill,
and intrepidity, with which they conducted the com-
bined operations io the north of China, which terminated
Is the capture of Pekin, whereby an honourable peace has
been obtained on the terms proposed by her Majesty and
her ally the Emperor of the k moth.
That the thanks of this house be given to the other
officers of the navy, anny, and the Royal Marines, including
her Majesty's Indian Force; both European and native,
for the energy and gallantry with which they executed the
services they were called upon to perform
I " That this house loth acknowledge sad highly approve
the gellantry, discipline' and uniform good conduct dis-
played by the petty officers, non-commissioned officers and
men of the navy, army, Royal Marines, and her Majesty's
I lodise teem, European and native ; and the cordial good
feeling which animated the united force. And that the
same be communicated to them by the commanders of the
several skips and corps, who are respectively desired to thank
there for their gallant and steadfast behaviour."
The Bed el DERBY cordially seconded the motion. The
sneers el so small • force in so brief a time demanded the
utmost admiration. The manner in which the army had
heesior regected the highest credit on the War-office.
He = that differences should have occurred between
Edit. Giant and General Montauban, on which point he
I desired further information, and thought likewise that we
had not Es yet sulkiest information on the merits of the
several Aiwa. As to the sacking of the palace, he ad-
mitted that there might be reasons which would justify it,
hut feared that it might produce a bad effect on the
Chinese.

The Duke of CAMBRIDGE warmly concurred in the
vote of thanks, calling special attention to the services of
the native Indian troops.
Lord CLYDE then shortly addressed the house, but, as
he spoke in a very low tone and with his beck to the re-
=net a single complete sentence could be heard by
He was understood to concur in the vote, sod to ex-
press his satisfaction with the mode in which the operations
were conducted.

Ifeei OBEY Said, giving his entire concurrence to the
vats, be should not have thought it necessary to say any-
thing were it not that be bad warned their lordships against
the policy and the justice of the war. He still regarded
the war that had just been closed as most unjust and im-
politic. He was still per waded that, notwithstanding the
terms of the treaty, the ultimate result of the war must be
injurious. But the army and navy were not responsible for
the character of the war ; they bad nothing to do with the
policy of the war, and he believed that they well deserved
the commendation that was proposed to be bestowed upon
them. They hail evinced courage and skill in the highest
degree, and the vote that was proposed bad his cordial
concurrence. He would only add that, while he
thought it inexpedient., after what bad fallen haw the
noble lord, to bring under consideration matters on which
there could be • difference of opinion among them,
still he did think that they ought at some time and in
some mode, to have 11.1) opportunity of declarinoheir
subject opinion as to the policy of the war. It was a of
the deepest importance. It was a solitary example a war
having been commenced and conducted to a conclusion
without the grounds of that war, and the reasons why it
was undertaken, having been brought formally wader the
notice of parliament. He hoped that in some mod* her
Majesty's government would call the attention of the house
to the eubject ; but if they did not do so, it would be the
duty of himself or some other person to do it.
The Dake of SOMERSET expressed his approbation of
the services of the navy, sad read a letter from Sir Hope
Grant, in which that osesr spoke in the highest praise of
the 'Mammy of those very gunboats which last year the
hoes, had been informed were entirely rotten. He defended
the distraction of the Sommer Palace, and expressed his
conviction of the necessity of that act. He trusted that
after this exhibition of our power the treaty would be
effectually carried nut.
The Marquis of BATH said, he only rose to rya few
words in consequence of the government having sanctioned
Lord Elgin having ordered the destruction of the imperial
palace. The noble duke assumed that that act of pillage and
destruction was done by the troops in • moment of excite-
ment, on receipt of the news of the treatment of the party
to whom he had alluded. If that had been the case, he
admitted that there might have been some justification for
the act. But what was the case It was ordered in cool
blood, long after, by Lord Elgin, and, if all accounts
were correct, in spite of the remonstrance of the French,
who wished to avoid such • barbarity. He did not wish at
this moment, when they were voting thanks to the army
and navy for their services, to animadvert on the conduct
of thou who had been enaged in this affair, but as the
rabies& had been alluded _tole could not let it par without
offering his protest against an act of Vandalism, not only
sanctioned by al English ambassador but justified by an
English minister—an act which could only be compared to
the burning of the library of Alexandria and the sack of
Rome by the Coustable Bourbon.
The Earl of Fl I F:NBOROUGH said they were under
such deep obligations to Lord Elgin, that it was to him a
subject of deep regret that there bad been any disapproval
of any parte( his conduct. Lord Elgin had to impress the minds
of Orientals, and it was necessary, in his opinion, to do what
he ordered for the purpose of preserving the lives of her
:re subjects. He thought that no public man ever
i greater sacrifice than Lord Elgin when he proceeded
to China a second time ; his conduct throughout had been
marked by peat judgment, firmness, and discretion, and it
was to him, certainly tc. a great extent, that we owed the
extrication of our army from • position utterly false on
military principles with honour and with credit.
The motion was then put and carried, and their lordships
adjoursed at seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TureeDeT, FEB. 14.
The ErreKis took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE RUMNESS.
On the order of the day for the mond reading of the
Caledonian. Edinburgh, and Glaagow, and Southall Central
Railways Bill,
The boom divided—
For the second reeding
No
The bill was then read a 'mood time.
NOTICES OF MOTION.
TRANSPORTATION.
Mr. CHILDERS pee solace that ou Tuesday week be
would move for a select oomaittee al the subject of trans-
pxtatios.
THE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.
. . .

Sir J. PAillitiONsaiditii would n;;Tgive notice that
on an sari, day he prop:wed to move tar a select committee
to consider the constilatias of the Board of Admiralty, and
to impair in what manlier the meant system of the ad-
ministrotiog of the navy may be so modified r to reader it
more effective for the public service. (Hear, hear.)
SALMON FISHERIES IN SCOTLAND.
Mr. A. STEUART asked the Lord Advocate, whether
he intended, at an early period of the scrim, to introduce
a bill on the subject of salmon fisheries in Scotland, in Sc.
conlance with the recommendation of the committee of the
Lords which reported last realm.
The LORD ADVOCATE said he had a bill in course of
preparatioch and be should ask leave to introduce it before
a tor period glared.
ARTERIAL DRAINAGE OF LANDS.
Sir J. SHELLEY asked the Secretary of State for the
Here Department, whether it was the intention of the go.
ceremist to introduce any raeuures for further facilitator
the &sitar of lands by the improvement of outtalk and
'sesta siesseb.
Sir O. C. LEWIS said that he had had his attention di-
rected to this subject dear the late recess, and be believed
it was erre in which • greet deal of interest was felt. A
meager, was eery presared, and he hoped soon to be
able be lay it spas the Wile at the hose, bat he could not
name the day at prier&
THE MYSORE PRINCES AND THEIR PENSIONS.
Mr. BUXTON asked the beaseary of State for India
whet aatoinit et peonies had estselly been paid freer to the
Mysore rime is ma at the bet ism years.

Sire. WOOD, in answer to the questionof his hon. friend,
had to state that from the accounts to be found in the
31 appeared that in the year 1853-51, the sum ap-
propriated by the treaty of Mysore for the maintenance of
the fanulies of Hvder Ali }Man and Tioo Sultan was
70,0001. In 1851:55 a like sum of 70,000, was paid; and
from that time the payments were irregular in their
amount. For instance, in the year 1855-56 the sum paid
was 20,0061. ; in 18661, 29,1771. ; in 18678, 104,7181. ; in
1868-9, 66,7011. ; sad in 1859-60, 23,0221. was paid, thus
giving an average for the five years of 47,5241. During the
current year the estimate, so far as they had received it,
was 64,0001. ; but to that sum they expected an increase of
12,0(39., and therefore the original payment would be
66,0001. In this sum were included the salaries of officials
and superintendents and others, and all other charges.
As he lad before stated the ultimate permanent income far
the princes would be 17,1081. a year. (H
_oar haul_
THE PAROCHIAL 31-72_0LXARTHRJ5 1N

Mr. STIRLING MhM the I.oldAdveente it he Wormed
to introduce in the t main any bill for tin relief of
the parochW'eehoolmasters of Scotland. whom se/aries bad
been diminished by the expiry of the late act.
The LORD ADVOCATE said he had to state that he
allauld have to submit a proposal upon this subject, but he
weld not state specifically whether • bill would be intro-
dined this stesiou, or, if so, when it would be brought in.
VAGRANCY IN BCOTLAND.—BOAR REFORM, AND

PAYMENT OP PROCURATORS FISCAL.
Sz J. FEROUSSON asked the Lord Advocate whether
it was his intention to iatradosir bolls in the t session
for the sup of vagrancy I. ' for road re-
foam, and far the abolition of the payment of procurators
aseal by fees?
LORD ADVOCATE was oadentirod to no that he
had—a bill in preparation co rood reform in and
which would substantially cony sot the raccounsocl;tioue
of the commissioner,. He also looped to introduce a mea-
wore on the subject of vivant*, Sc.,tland, but he had no
present intention of introducing a bill in reference to the
rah-tfLrPEgOarTHE HOU= —IOIXIIMS ES.