The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-03 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS

The debate on Mr. Cobden's motion, on the state
of affairs in China, was resumed in the House of
Commons last night by Mr. Phillimore. He stated
that the law of nations was against the British
Government in granting a register to the lorcha
Arrow, and took occasion to stigmatise the conduct
of the Bishops who voted on Lord Derby's motion.
He remarked that it was against both the Eccle-
siastical law and the rules of the Upper House
that any Bishop should vote upon a question
involving the destruction of life, and alluded to the
fact of their withdrawal from the House at the trial
for the murder of the Earl of Cardigan. Earl Grey
defended the Bishops, and took occasion to attack
the motives of Mr. Cobden, animadverting severely
upon that gentleman's version of the despatch of
Mr. Cook, the United States marshall. He
accused the honourable member for the
West Riding of quoting so much of the
aespatcn as stuteu in own vice., emo suppico•
sing that portion which Ivonld have vindicated the
conduct of the Government. He also alluded to
the position taken by Sir James Graham, who had
unfairly and unjustly attacked Sir J. Bowring,
after he had confirmed that gentleman's appoint-
ment of Consul at Hong Kong, " which was
originally made by one of the supporters of the
motion—Lord John Russell." Mr. Robertson, as
the " only merchant in the House who had visited
Hong Kong," believed that personal communica-
tion with the authorities at Canton was necessary
in order to settle the dispute; and he expressed a
hope that the House would not be so ill advised as
to pass a vote of censure upon the Government,
the result of which, when it became known, would
be fearful to contemplate. Sir John Pakington
spoke in favour of the motion, and condemned
the policy of the Ministry, of backing up
the acts of distant officials, however
wrong they should happen to be. Mr Collier sup-
ported the Government, and was followed by Sir
Frederick Thesiger, who at some length explained
his view of the law bearing upon the registry of
the Arrow, which was at variance with that of Sir
John Bowring, who " had, without reason, assumed
that the attack upon the lorcha was a premeditated
insult to the British flag," and -he would vote for
the motion. Sir W. F. Williams brought his
experience of 26 years' dealings with the Orientals
to bear upon the House, and expressed his opinion
that the attack upon the Arrow was a premeditated
insult to the British flag. He also stated that
there was always a difficulty of dealing with
the Chinese without force. Mr. Sydney Herbert
was of opinion that the questions which led to the
war might have been settled by reprisals, and it
was condeming the cruelty of shelling a town that
be gave his vote for the resolution. Mr. Serjeant
Shee opposed the motion, and Mr. Phillimore
moved the adjournment of the debate, which was
agreed to, Mr. Disraeli expressing a hope that the
resolution would be finally disposed of at the
meeting of the House this day (Tuesday). A meet-
ing of Ministerial supporters in the House of
Commons was held at Lord Palmerston's official
residence, in Downing-street, yesterday. Lord
Palmerston addressed the meeting for about three
quarters of an hour. He justified all the proceed-
ings at Canton, and stated that Sir M. Seymour
had full powers to act as he had done, and that he
was not a man likely to adopt severe measures
until every thing else had failed. His lordship, in
conclusion, gave the meeting to understand that if
the vote was against him in the House of Commons,
it would be a question for the country to determine.
There were about 150 or 160 members present.
There is nothing in the home or local news this
morning calling for the least notice. The Central
Criminal Court was opened in London yesterday.
i
The Recorder, n alluding to the case of the
forgery against Saward and Anderson, said the
evidence against these prisoners principally con-
sisted of the testimony of two persons who were
undoubtedly very intimately connected with the
transactions that were the subject of enquiry, and
who gave positive evidence of the commission of the
offence by the persons accused. The Grand Jury
would, of course, not act upon the uncorroborated
testimony of such persons, and the only point they
would have to consider was, whether the evidence
of the accomplices was corroborated by their testi-
mony to such an extent as to show they were
speaking the truth; and if a prima facie case was
made out they would probably feel it their duty to
find a true bill against both the prisoners. The
trial of the man for the murder of his wife at
Merthyr, South Wales, has resulted in the jury
being discharged, they not being able to agree
upon a verdict. The election petition against
the return of Mr. Weguelin for Southampton
asserts that bribery and corruption were
practised. It is prosecuted on the side of the
Conservative candidate. The nomination of
candidates to represent the city of Glasgow in
Parliament to .k place yesterday: A show of hands
wfis declared in favour of Mr. Merry. The poll
will open on Thursday, at eight o'clock. There
seems to be no doubt that Mr. Buchanan will be
xeturned, although some papers call him " a Tory

candidate under the convenient guise of a Liberal
cloak."

The foreign news this morning is confined in
importance to that relating to China. We have
thought the matter of sufficient interest to devote a
considerable spice to the " ctiffu-sion of useful
knowledge" upon this interesting topic. Official de-
spatches have been received by the Overland Mail
from Sir John Bowring and Sir Michael Seymour.
They give accounts of the attack made upon the
British shipping by a vast number of Chinese
junks. The attack, which was well concerted, being
made at low water, when the larger men of war
could not safely manwuvre, was brilliantly re-
pelled. Sir Michael Seymour had thought it wise
to abandon his posts at the Dutch Folly and the
Factory Garden, and had strengtued his position
at forts lower down the river. Five hundred
men were expected from Singapore. The
details of the massacre of the Europeans on board
the Thistle are also communicated in these de-
spatches. It appears that the Thistle left Canton
on her passage to Hong Kong. The Chinese
passengers were searched, to ascertain that they
had no arms, and this point being settled, the
vessel started. Presently seventeen Chinese
obtained knives from a woman who had secreted

them under her clothes, and who, it seems,
had not been efficiently searched. With these
they fell on the eleven unarmed Europeans,
ono of whom was the Spanish Vice Consul, and
murdered them all. Then running the vessel
into a creek, they set fire to her, and
carried the heads of their victims on shore, leaving
the bodies to be burned. These seventeen Chinese
were soldiers in disguise, and wore their uniforms
under the garments they had assumed to gain
admission to the vessel. There is no doubt the
authorities connived at their design, and will give
them the full price for the heads. The Thistle
being an iron boat was not destroyed. Her hull
was found next day by our boats, with the eleven
charred bodies decapitated—a melancholy evidence
of their horrid fate,
About our Persian difficulty we hear that the
draft treaty of peace was signed preliminarily at
Paris on Friday or Saturday, at the same time
rumour has it that the Shah's troops have taken
Mandahar ; while from Bombay it is stated that
the British expeditionary force is to be raised to
20,000 men.

Letters received by the Constantinople mail of

the 19th ult., speak of a rumour current at Teheran
of the sth, that the Persian troops, operating to the
west of Furrah, had succeeded in capturing Kanda
bar. Issah Khan, who defended Herat, has been
killed. How is not mentioned.

The continental intelligence is unimportan ; onr
Paris advices state that the French government
continues with rigid impartiality to seize and con-
fiscate English journals of all shades of politics
which contain any fact or opinion concerning po
litics, morals, religion, literature, or art unpleasing
in the eyes of those who wield ministerial autho-
rity for the hour.
We have intelligence which asserts that the last
Conference for the preliminaries of the Neufchatel
affair will take place between M. Hatzfeld and
Count Walewski. These accounts say that there
is'again a movement in Switzerland, and another
rising of the King of Prussia's friends is feared in
Neufchatel. It is said the King is dissatisfied
with the exile imposed upon the former insurgents,
and, also, because punishments have been inflicted
on certain of his adherents in the canton who
refuse to serve under the federal flag.
Spain, it seems, is prepared for immediate war-
like action against Mexico ; and, it is not very
likely that General Alvarez will be found yielding ;
a crisis, to all appearances, is at hand.
Le Nord of Brussels publishes the despatch of

Count Buol to the Sardinian Government concern-
ing the demonstrations which took place at Turin
against the Emperor of Austria during his stay at
Milan, as well as Count Cavour's reply to them
The Austrian state paper is lengthy enough, and
the Sardinian more so.
Ad vices from the United States to the 18th Feb.
are to hand, by the arrival of the Africa yesterday
afternoon. The political news is not of the least
importance, Mrs. Cunningham, Fckle, and
Snodgrass, had been committed to the Toombs at
lArew Turh, utt a ututrge of titu loonier of IJI.
Burdell, on the coroner's jury's verdict. Accounts
of a late date from Nicaragua represent Walker as
in the ascendant, and if we are to believe all
we hear, that gentleman's forces are thrashing
their enemies, although the latter are four
to one in numbers. Mexican accounts state
that a new loan of 15,000,000 dollars had been
completed with the United States representative.
We are rather doubtful as to the possibility of such
a measure passing both Houses of Congress.

THE discussion which took place in the House
of Commons last night, like almost every other
during the present session, was a trial of strength,
not between Whig and Tory, but between the
Government and those who oppose their policy
in China. As the debate on Mr. COBDEN'S
motion proceeded, it was quite evident that mem-
bers would for a time bury their political dif-
ferences, overlook their religious prejudices, and
vote, for the most part, from perfectly free and
independent motives. Hence it was that Mr.
HORSFALL, on Friday last, spoke in favour of
the Ministry. His chief object in addressing the
House was to vindicate the motives of the Mer-
chants of Liverpool who memorialised Lord
CLARENDON respecting the state of our relatiDns
with China from the bitter attack of Mr. COBDEN.
In this he did well ; for no matter whether the
present hostilities at Canton be just or unjust,
nothing could be farther from the desire of the
Merchants of Liverpool than to conquer an ex-
tension of commerce in China, or, despite the
wishes of the Chinese, and in defiance of their
national scruples and prejudices, to force, at the
mouth of the cannon and the point of the bayonet,
the productions of England into that vast empire.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL and Sir JAMES GRAHAM
deserted their former Whig allies, and the ability
and earnestness with which they sßoke upon
the question must exercise a very important
influence on the division. Into the merits of the
question it is not our intention to enter at
present. Another opportunity will present itself,
when we shall analyse the debates in both
Houses, and point out what we believe consti-
tutes the true merits of the case. There are,
however, other considerations connected with the
discussion last night, and the divisions which
preceded it, which are deserving attention,
Party ties have been snapped asunder during
the present session. Not only on questions of
finance, but on matters relating to the political
and social amelioration of the people at large; there
have been sudden and unexpected changes—
changes which indicate that, notwithstanding the
popularity of the noble Premier, the present
Ministry
must either gird up their loins and
conduct the government of the country in unison
with the spirit of the age, or give way to abler
and more earnest and honest politicians.
In illustration of these remarks, we have
only to look to the division lists on
the income tax debate, and Mr. LOCKE KING'S
motion for an extension of the suffrage. In each
of these we find that the Tory voted kith the
' Radical, that Peelites and Conservatives were
united, and that Whig paired off against Whig.

In fact so completely changed is both sides of
the House of Commons that the politician is
baffled to form a single party out of the
heterogeneous materials which compose that
assembly.

In this state of things we discover symptoms
which must inevitably result in the furtherance
of good government. It will be an incentive to
any ministry to act with extreme caution, inas-
much as every act, and the motives which super-
induce it must be subject to the criticism, and
the adoption or rejection, of professed political
friends, as well as open and determined
opponents. Measures, not men, will be the
ruling creed of most members of Parliament, and
that government which vindicates the rights of
the people, to a further participation in the
elective franchise—the extension and promotion
of education—a repeal of all taxes upon know-
ledge—the annihilation of undue aristocratic
influence—strict economy in our national expen-
diture at home and abroad—and the complete
opening up of place and power to men of merit.
irrespective of country or creed—will be sure to
maintain a strong position, and at all times
command such a majority as will defy the puny
efforts of ambitious, discontented, and inconsis-
tent politicians. That such a period is fast
approaching there is reason to believe ; for Lord
DERBY, who has on former occasions repudiated
support from the opposition ranks, now thinks
that " when members, from identity of sentiment,
" were frequently drawn together to the same
" lobby, it was impossible to doubt that a bond
" of political union was established, which no
" party could refuse to acknowledge." Hence it
is, that although not actually acknowledging a
coalition, Lord DERBY gives vent to his admira-
tion of the abilities of Mr. GLADSTONE. He
also approves of the conduct of Mr. COBDEN on
the Chinese question, and must be gratified to
find that his former colleagues, Lord JOHN
RUSSELL and Sir JAMES GRAHAM, are OR the
same side.

As an ominous sign of the times, we may
further observe that Lord PALMERSTON has been
obliged to call a meeting of his supporters. That
important gathering took place yesterday, when
the noble premier intimated the difficulty of his
position, and delicately hinted that, in the event
of a defeat, one of two things must take place,—
a ministerial crisis or a dissolution of Parliament,
—each of which are alike unpalatable to the
Government supporters. By a similar movement
last year he saved himself. But parties then
were more united, The Peelites were firm
together, and the Manchester school bore true
allegiance to the Cabinet, Such is not the case
at present. We are on the eve of a great political
change. Lord DERBY is marshalling his forces,
and hopei, by a tone of moderation, and making
concessions to the onward progress of the age, to
win his way to place and power. Should he do
so, nothing less than the adoption of the political
programme sketched above will satisfy the people.
To be the premier of the United Kingdom
he must throw aside the political doctrines of
luy guau blius,o, awl ic,vBlllGG Ulu pcvple t 4.1 chic
fountain of all power and all authority. He
must so conduct the vessel of the state as to
extend and promote British commerce, without
allowing the most distant or barbarous of our
allies to suspect the sincerity of our intentions,—
the good faith with which we fulfil our treaties,
or the honourable, the legitimate, and the
upright motives which induces us to send the
British flag on the waters of every country and
every clime.

DEATH OF AN INDIAN OFFICIAL.—On Sunday the ship
John O'Gaunt, Captain Smith, arrived here from Calcutta,
having on board the body of Frederick Shaw, Esq., aged
32, late under secretary in the forei2n office at Calcutta.
The deceased was son of the Right Hon. Frederick Shaw,
recorder of Dublin, and had been ordered home by the
doctors at Calcutta, as his health was very bad. He died
when the vessel was three weeks at sea. The body was
transmitted to Dublin last night.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—The monthly meeting of the
Council was held yesterday, John Torr. Esq., president, in
the chair. After the routine business had been disposed of,
Messrs. R. A. Macfie and C. S. Parker were unanimously
elected directors in the room of Messrs. Hyslop and
R3bertson, resigned. A memorial on the subject of
emigration to China was submitted, and referred back to
the special committee for re-consideration. A petition to
the House of Commons in favour of the Judgments Execu•
tion Bill, as originally introduced was brought up and
agreed to. Notice of motion was given relative to the
proposed uniformity of weights and measures, and was
ordered to be brought up before the next meeting. Among
the communications was a note from Mr. J. B. Smith,
offering to give a lecture on the " Cultivation of Cotton,"
on the 11th ins!ant, which was accepted with thanks.

THE ONE THING WANTING —A correspondent writes :
" Now, that we have had the Rivington water for some
weeks, and as there seems no chance of getting rid of it, it
behoves us to search for the remedy to improve this water.
Fearing illness, and bearing in mind the well known
axiom that prevention is better than cure, it is gratifying to
learn that, in this age of science and improvement, we have
in this town the one thing necessary for the preservation
of our healths. To Messrs. Saunders and Co., only, we
are indebted for the best filters that can be made, removing
all impurities, and, by their recently improved deodorizers,
actually removing all the colour, and producing from the
Rivington water a remarkably brilliant and clear, sparkling
beverage." We earnestly recommend our readers to an
inspection of Messrs, Saunders and Co's. filter warehouse,
Parker street, Liverpool.
LIST OF PASSENGERS PER R.M.S. AFRICA, FROM NEW
YORK TO LIVERPOOL.—Messrs. C. S. Lee, J. M. Sewell, J.
Donohon and lady, Mr. Street, lady, three children, and'
nurse ; Mr. W. G. West and lady, Mr. C. Moore and lady,t
Mrs. E. A. Jones, Mi,s Forsyth, Mr. Kenedy and lady, Mr.
J. M. Lopez, lady, and two children ; Messrs. F. Webis, J.
Gaunt, B. Gregory, J. J. Gregory, M'Hinn, J. P. Klinbans,
F. A. Garrett, FT. Huster, J. Brush, P. Nottback, W.
Burchfield, S. Kingan, R. Carey. J. Seldon, G. K. John.
ston, P. H. Walker, R. Craige, J. Ruszits, T. Dodgson,
W. L. Lewis, F. W. Lasak. F. S. Hudson, J. P. Purdy, A.
C. Walsh, W. Corbyn, W. H. Smith, C. Person and lady, J.
H. Hardcastle, A. H. Gibbs. H. P. Oldershaw, Captain J.
Britton, Me srs. C. Routh, F. Short, W. Christian, Capt.
R. Lashbrooke, Messrs. M. Kershaw, W. Duckett, J. Peer-
less, Capt. A. Boyles, Mr. R. Sturback.
LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—DINNER OF
EMPLOYEES.—Oa Saturday evening the employees belong-
ing to the above company, engaged at the goods station,
Waterloo road, assembled at Mr. Morrish's, Merchants'
Dining Rooms, Tithebarn street, for the purpose of a
reunion. There were about 160 of the chief men engaged
at the station present, and at seven o'clook they sat down
to an excellent dinner, of which it is only necessary to say
that it consisted of everything of the best, and was served
in the usual excellent style L.r which the house is so justly
celebrated. Ample justice having been done to the good
things, the loyal toasts were duly honoured. The health
of the direc,ors was given with hearty good will, with
musical honours and enthusiasm. The health of the able and
respected pods manager, R. J. Carter, Esq., was given in an
appropriate speech, and received with the warmest applause.
Amongst the heads of several departments who were present
were Messrs. Tell (sub manager), Thurston, Willgoose, 84e.,
and the healths of these gentlemen were given and responded
to in the happiest manner. The evening was spent in the
most agreeable and happy manner, and it must be very
pleasing to find such excellent feelings existing amongst all
concerned.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.]

THE NEUFCHATEL QUESTION.

It is said that the last Conference for the preli-
minaries of the Neufchatel affair will take place
between M. Hatzfeld and Count Walewski.

PERSIAN AFFAIRS.

The Treaty between Persia and England is not
yet signed.
Constantinople advices of the 23rd say that
Issah Khan, who defended Herat, is killed The
announcement of the capture of Ferrah, a town
situated between Herat and Candahar, is denied.
The Russians have exempted from imposts several
tribes, who agree to furnish the Shah with 30,000
infantry and cavalry. It is also stated that the
Russians are making preparations to transport
the 30,000 men of the Daghestan tribe, in the
Caspian Sea fleet, to the aid of Persia.