The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-13 00:00:00

WAR AUX 11010130 N. rittipAY XVIININtki, JULY Pi 148,14-

DBSPATOIIES PROM RIIAR.ADMIRAL

.P.ENAUD.

The Moniteur of yesterday publishes the following
correspondence
The Minister of Marine has received the following
despatches from Rear-Admiral Penaud, commander of
the squadron in the Baltic :
" On board the Tourville, off Cronstadt,
Juno 30.
" Sir,—Yesterday a steamer left Cronstadt with a flag
of truce ; it steered for the allied fleet anchored in the pas-
sage south of the Tolboukin. As soon as it came near the
squadron anchored north of Cronstadt, a boat from the
Duke of Wellington pulled alongside, and brought a Rus-
sian officer on board the English Admiral's ship. A few
moments afterwards Admiral Dundas came on board the
Tourville, to communicate to me the despatch he had re-
ceived, informing me that he had thought it was addressed
to him personally, but that it concerned the vessels of both
nations.
" In this despatch, a copy of which I have the honour
to enclose to your Excellency, the Minister of War of the
Emperor of Russia declares that, toprevent the misunder-
standings to which the use made of flags of truce by the
English navy might give rise, the vessels of the allied
squadrons will only be allowed to communicate with the
Russian authorities in the Baltic on three points—namely,
Cronstadt, Sweaborg, and Revel.
" The commander cf the English squadron having
asked me what I thought of the contents of this despatch,
I replied that, first of all, it seemed to me that the Minis-
ter of War at St. Petersburg ought to have mentioned
when the English abused a flag of truce as that is the pre-
text made use of by the Russian Government to limit and
restrict the communication hitherto in use between the
belligerent Powers. I added that the measure notified
might give rise to very serious inconveniences, and that it
might be feared that it might increase the evils of war ;
that, at all events, I thought it advisable to make the
Russian Government understand that we threw upon it
the whole responsibility of any evils that might arise there-
from.
" This morning I went on board the Duke of Welling-
ton, to concert with Admiral Dundas the reply that should
be sent. That officer sent me a draught of a reply in the
afternoon, which I approved by a letter, of which I also
send a copy to your Excellency. In the evening Admiral
Dundas sent the reply to Cronstadt under a flag of truce.
" I am, Sac.,
" Admiral PENATJD.'
" T e following is a translation of the letter addressed
to Admiral Dundas by the Russian Minister of War :
" St. Petersburg, June id (28).
" Sir,—With a view to preventing misunderstandings
to which the use of flags of truce made by the English
might give rise, I am charged by the Imperial government
to inform you of the resolution it has adopted regarding
communications which the Anglo-French fleet in the Bal-
tic may think to address to us.
" Flags of truce will only be received on three points
—namely, Cronstadt, Sweaborg, and Revel.
" Vessels bearing a flag of truce must hoist a white
flag of large dimensions, and cast anchor beyond long
range, and wait until a boat goes alongside to receive a
written message from them.
" ' I must inform you, M. l'Admiral, that the Imperial
Government has resolved not to recognise a flag of truce on
any other point than those abovementioned or without
the strict adhesion to the rules herein laid down.
" I shall fed much obliged to you to make me acquainted
with the regulations you may think fit to establish on your
side as regards the communications we may think it advis-
able to send, under flag of truce, to the allied squadrons.
" I am, &c.,
" Prince BASILE DOLGOROTTKI.
" Minister of War.'
"To the above Admiral Dundas sent the following
reply :
" To his Excellency Prince Dolgorouki, Minister of War
of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia.
" On board her Majesty's ship Duke of Wellington,
at anchor five miles N.N.E. of
Tolbonkin Lighthouse, June 30.
have tho honour to acknowledge tho receipt
of the letter you addressed to mo under date of tho 28th
inst., to inform me that, with a view to prevent any mis-
understanding with regard to the use hitherto made by the
British navy of flags of truce, the Government of his
Ma-
jesty the Emperor of Russia has thought fit to assign cer-
tain limits to communications of this description which
the allied squadrons of France and England might find it
advisable to address to it.
" You also ask me to make it known to you what re-
gulations I may think it necessary to establish for the re-
ceipt of similar communications which the Russian Go-
vernment may have to make to the allied fleets.
" 'I take the liberty of informing you that I am ignor-
ant of the circumstances with respect to the conduct of
my officers which may have given rise to restriction of
communications by flags of truce as hitherto practised in
the present war. lam perfectly aware that it is custom-
ary to hoist a white flag of sufficient size, and I also admit
the necessity of not approaching within range of the guns
of a fortress without permission, or nearer any other point
than may be necessary to attract attention ; but the time
and place where such communications, under a flag of
truce, may be thought indispensable depend upon the cir-
cumstances of each individual case. I admit, without
reserve, that in most cases it is more suitable to send a
flag of truce to a spot where it is likely to meet with an
officer of rank; and that, moreover, no advantage should
be taken of such suspension of hostilities to accomplish,
without danger, acts which could not have been done dur
ing actual hostilities.

(Thornhill to meet it, and am greatly disappointed to
find tbat the bearer only brings in letters from Turkish
prisoners,

TUESDAY, Junl 12.
About midnight I accompany Colonel Lake to visit
the sentries, and find the men wakeful and vigilant, the
officers, as usual, sleepy, and ignorant of their duties.
rue Russian army is receiving reinforcements from
Akelkelek, and has retired a few hours from its former
position.

We hear with delight that Riza Pasha, that most
corrupt Minister of War, has lost his place.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13.
We ride round the works shortly alter midnight, to
keep up the vigilance of the sentries.

Reinforcements are said to be on their way from Bitlis
under Mehemed Cavakli Pasha.

Khurschid, Bey of Hinuis, is said to be on the road
to Kars with 500 Bashi-Bazouks.

The commander of the army at Batoum declines to
send us reinforcements, as he is menaced by the Rus-
sians.

Ardahan is occupied without resistance by the Russian
division.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14.
I visited the sentries at 1 a.m. with Colonel Lake,
after which we ride out to inspect the outposts. It was
quite dark when we started, and scarcely showed signs
of morning, when, after an hour's quiet riding, we
reached the spot where they were usually to be found.
We see no one, so we despatch two orderlies in advance
to reconnoitre. They return, and report that our.ca-
valry pickets are about three miles ahead. 'We advance,
and the dawn was just breaking as we came upon about
200 of our regulars and about 100 Bashi-Bazunks—the
latter a good deal in advance, crowning the ridges of an
undulating, uneven country. We inquire the where-
abouts of the Russian camp, and ride further on to take
a peep. While thus reconnoitring I observe in the still
imperfect light a large mass of cavalry apparently ad-
vancing, so we quietly retire on our pickets. After this
body has disappeared for a time, I observe it closer,
evidently advancing, and at a further distance two other
regiments on the right and left, advancing in support.
Our small handful of ill armed ragged regulars com-
mence a retreat at a trot and canter. The enemy sinks
out of sight in a valley, presently emerges within rifle
shot, and comes on at full charge. Oar Basins yell, fir 3
their pistols, and scamper off ; our regulars follow their
example, and bolt like a flock of sheep. The Rus-
sians come on at a killing pace, and come up with us
just as we plunge down a hill strewn with rocks. The
crash of a volley of carbines, the rattle of hoofs, the
blinding mud flung into my face from the hoofs of the
panic-stricken cavalry, gave me a taste of the excitement
of war, but in its most disagreeable form. Our fellows
were soon overtaken, and when the Russians had chased
us to nearly within the range of our guns the road pre-
sented melancholy traces of the thrashing we had got, in
the dead and dying, and clothes and accoutrements,
strewn along it.
Some of the cuts received fronr the Russian sabres
were perfectly frightful ; the Bashi-Bazouks suffered the
most. Our outposts have not yet ventured again so
near those of the enemy. Our cavalry are armed with
sabres little longer than carving knives, and carbines of
the most antiquated flint and steel pattern. With these
arms it is not surnrising that they should be no match
for the well-armed and well-mounted Muscovites.
The Russian cavalry retreated in good order, followed
by the Bashi-Bazouks, who took heart of grace, and
tried to harrass and frighten them by yelling, flourishing
their spears, and firing at a very safe distance.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15.
This day passes very tranquilly; no news of import-
ance from the outposts. The Mussulmans are preparing
for the rejoicing of the Bairam. The long and painfu
fast of the Ramazan is over.

SATURDAY, JUNE H.
The whole population is seen dressed in the gayest
costumes, each man saluting his neighbour on the cm-
' casion of the Bairam. About 7 o'clock a.m. a norsemar
arrives from the outposts. "bloody with spurring,
fiery red with haste." He reports that the Rus-
sians have struck their tents, and are advancing.
The alarm is raised, and the soldiers march to their
posts. The gaily-dressed citizens buckle on their cart-
ridge pouches and shoulder their muskets, while the
women crowd on the housetops, wringing their hands
and crying "Amen, amen!" In a very short time each
man is at his post, wren, looking out from the battle-
ments, we see the dark masses of the enemy steadily ad-
vancing over a broad plain of rich meadow land, covered
with brilliant coloured flowers. As they approach a
beautiful and living panorama is before us ; the enemy
throw out their Cossack and Georgian skirmishers, con-
sisting of irregular cavalry. These are met by our own
Bashi•Bazouks, and a series of tournaments occur in the
grassy space intervening between the masses of advanc-
ing troops and the dank lines of breastworks. Two or
three regiments of cavalry, regular and irregular, now
advance from the RuiEian lines, and, after a trot of a
mile or two, charge our retreating squadrons of cavalry.
The rout of the latter is complete, but the Bashis fight
admirably while retirin R., when puffs; of dense white
smoke issue from the I(aradagh and Hafiz Batteries,
and the balls aro seen to ;lough into the Russian masses.
The enemy's guns are no•w brought up, but their balls
glance harmlessly from the dense earthen embankments.
The horsemen of both sides are mingled and rush for
the entrance, but the Cossacks fall under the deadly fire
of the batteries, while the few on whom the great guns
cannot play are singled out by our riflemen, or fall under
the gallant charges of our irregulars. The attempt to
rush into our works with. the retreating cavalry has
failed. After an hour's cannonading and skirmish-
ing the enemy retires, while this repulse raises
the spirits of our garrison to a height of enthusi-
asm. The cunning Russitns had chosen for their
attack the very day, the first of the Bairarn, and
the very hour, about 9 a.m., when the Turks deliver
themselves up to idleness and rejoicing, and when every-
thing in the shape of duty is neglected. Fortunately
their propinquity for the last few days had kept us all
in a constant state of vigilamce. Our loss to-day has been
trifling—perhaps 20, chiefly cavalry, while that of the
enemy can scarcely have be to less than 100.
We are awaitin4 en attack: to-night.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17.
Our inspection of the sentries to-night is highly satis-
factory ; everyman and offices is on the alert, and a large
force is under arms all night_ We learn that the attack.
ing force of yesterday was 2,7;,000 men—a force certainly
insufficient to take pars. A spy tells us that another
attack of a much more serious description is arranged for
to-morrow. We are all in high spirits, and quite ready
for any amount of Muscovites.
The enemy has retired to their old encampment. We
learn that they brought three days' provisions with them
yesterday.
The Armenians of Van are said to be in a state of re-
volt, in consequence of the gross insults of the Pasha to
their bishop. A large number have crossed the Russian
frontier.

"By informing we that on the whole extens of the
Russian territory from Tornea to Libau flags of trues are
limited to the three points you have mentioned, you vir-
tually increase the evils of war, and deprive both parties
of those means of correspondence necessary even between
enemies.

"' I regret that -w-hc-n such a notification was made to
me no fact was mentioned which might have led me to
make an inquiry- into the conduct of those accused, and I
am quite ready to ins-Mint° an inquiry into tho conduct Of
any officer pointed out, to me as having violated a flag of
truce.
" 'As regards comnritnicatioms that may be sent to me,
I refer you to the con( litions you yourselves have made,
either to approach or d play a flag of truce ; a flag of truce
will be receiv. d by the nearest vessel, and sent, as the case
may be, to the senior o tFcer, and I ask no other security
than that which I may reasonably expect from the good
faith and honour of the officers to whom you may think
fit to trust such sorts of communications.
" 'I have communier ,ted your letter to Bear-Admiral
Penaud, Commander-in- Chief of the French squadron in
the Baltic. He perfectly '-approves the observations I have
the honour to make to you as regards the restrictions you
wish to impose upon coma it tnications we may have occasion
to address to the Russian a u thorities; and Admiral Penaud
and myself think it right t o point out the serious inconve-
niences and oven evils whit I I may be the consequence, the
whole responsibility of whi.c I must fall upon those who
have prevented the means c f communication when such
evils might have been avoid a 1.

Admiral DUNDAS.'
"The following letter • iv as" addressed by Admiral
Penaud to Admiral Dundas :
" On board .1 I is Imperial Majesty's ship
To; i rville, Juno 30.
" 'Monsieur l'Arniral,—l f c lly approve the letter you
purpose addressing to the Mi mister of War at St. Peters-
burg, in reply to that in whic hhe informs you of the re-
strictions which his Government wishes to place upon flags
of truce for the future between vessels of the Anglo-French
fleet and the Russian authoriti es.
"We could not, in fact, give our consent to exceptional
measures, beyond the customar V usages of we r, the execu-
tion of which may have unhapj )y consequences, and espe-
cially when it is given to be um lerstood as a motive of the
proposition that the English haN -e made abuse of a flag of
truce.—l am, &c.,

" ' " 'Rear-Admi 'al PENAUD,
Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic Squadron.' "
The Monitett). also publishes . t despatch from Vice-
Admiral Bruat, dated on board the Montebello, 25th
of June, stating that after the pillage of the Kertch
Museum by the Tartar populatio, 2, and by marauders
of the three armies, more especi, ttly by Turits, some
urns and basso-relievers bad bee, t sent can board the
Pomona by the Commander of the .P 1 degeto.a. Admiral
Bruat requests instructions as to what he is t o do with
these objects, which are of little vale e. The chief ob-
jects of antiqui.ty and the medals had already been sent
long since to S. Petersburg, snd the Admiral` states
that he does not think science has much to regre `,':in the
damage done to tbe Kertch Museum--a damage f natu-
rally exaggerated L.y the Russian journals.

The reinforcements of Mehemed Cavakli Pasha are
recalled, in consequence of the revolt of the Montefih
Arabs near Bagdad.
About 2,000 foot irregulars, first-rate riflemen, from
the Luzi Mountains', aze expected shortly to reinforce
our garrison.

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ENCLOSE
HAMPSTEAD-HEATH.

A hill entitled "An Act to Facilitate Leases and
Sales of Settled Estates" has passed the Lords, and
stands this night for a second reading in the House of
Commons. The of of this bill is ostensibly to en-
able tenants for life of settled estates to obtain powers
of lease and sale. It is, of course, a public bill, and pro-
ceeds on the colourable ground that, while the expense
of Parliamentary proceeding& is so great, it is but rea-
sonable that tenants for life should be enabled to pro-
cure necessary powers from some more economical tri-
bunal, this tribunal being the, Court of Chancery. On
looking through the clauses of the bill one is not at
first sight at all inclined to quarrel with its provi-
sions, which read like those of any similar act. Com-
mon sense, however, and common equity would sug-
gest that this bill must not be made a mere cloak for
objectionable applications. Care must be taken—as
KARS, JUNE S. this bill professes merely to deal with matters of
This morning General Williams, with his staff, entt Ta form—that such petitions a& would not upon equitable
the garrison. Ms advent a ppears to be worth an arm. vs grounds have met with the as sect of Parliamentestill less
as the men have immense confidence in him, knowint 1' those who have been rejected. by Parliament, should be
how well he has fought tlesife battles and fed them, in smuggled through the Court of Chancery. Now, it
spiteise of peculating pashas, who have grown rich on their but right' that the members •of the House of Commons
f'rli...er!. Young Captain Toesaale, R.A., his personal I should be informed that the bill for facilitating tke
o•rtslde-Cansp, accompanies him, a well-known face too, i "Leases and Sales of Settled Estates" is under another
',,
.during a long and rigorous winter he resided in the
barmen of wars, and with a Suelgruent quite beyond his name their old friend "a Bill for permitting the' Enclo-
Within sure of Hampstead-heatb." It is quite needless for us
years, assisted in getting in provisions, quartering the to go again into the arguments affecting the policy of
troops, an s
at work throwirig
dthprosecting them from their worthless officers. s le enclosure: for, durieg many years past, not a res-
at
of Cobenei Lake,
e last few months the troops have been hard s ion has gone by without an effort on the part of Sir T.
up fortifications under the able three. • le L Wilson to run some bill which would have permitted
Madras Engineers. The place has it, through the two Houses of Legislature, The propo-
now quite se different aspect from last yea.r ; it is a most
wearied exertions of 0 ca";
formidable intrenched ;ittons for the enclosure of Hampstead•leath have, in
and, thanks to the un- -au s, become well-nigh as great a Parliamentary nuisance
sinned, General Williams, it is well provi- a s the fact itself would be a public one if the object
d, ssired could be carried into effect. It has been
re marked by those whose interests would be most
im mediately affected by the success of Sir T. M. Wilson's
attempt that this bill, which recognises the necessity of
pro
sett moting the interests cf persons entitled under the
lenient, is entirely silent as to the intentions of the
settl ere, In a word, Sir T. M. Wilson is desirous of
Pres,. 'e•ting himself before the Court of Chancery, with-
out h. al 'ing to argue against the grounds upon which his
apish( at ions to Parliament have hitherto been rejected.
Um r .cer ,'powers which itself. refuses to exercise. Another
Parli: eia, snt is thus made to delegate to the Court of
of Sir T. M. .M. Wilson's attempts to enclose
poii 1 t we J.' worthy of notice is, that the main cause of the
I,e i! iat hi the "to
publicity of a
through the necessary
c I his ietention
i i -).,,3 , Heath ia.e been that the public had ample notice
d iscussion in Pat.
exist, and he would
n. ~ent no such pulse lefty would h
bi s enabled quietly to sratlales ' the Court of
•lia..ment. Under this new arrange-
than once
C hanceri 1.4: Demure vet
jeshs and over and over again
c, mdemned by the judg. e
expre sground of the re-
tbereonugmaore
r' jectecl. by Parliament. le. I°,
,le offer, has been that the wils
tains evidence
under
%\ rilso is enjoys the property cm.
should not have the.
of the testator's intention that ha' which
intrinsic Sir T. . M.
l'' )wer, s which he now seeks to obta.'n. Under these cir-
°' , :sissti weer, even if the bill should be proved, such au
° ne As. should receive the assent of the Commons, it is,
1t least 'e but reasonable that all such applications as have
alreade • been rejected by Parliament should be excluded
from it I operation. We have done our duty in putting
{ the met Gibers
is for th em to watch over the public interests, and to
see Gibersof the Lower House upon their guard ;it
that
buTier.—?inter.
pstead•heatii is not made the site of a new
suburb b•.; r some speculative

THE TURKI,SII ARMY`IiV ASIA.

OF THE LATE MARQUIS OF TIIOMOND,—
FUNVIA 'emn ins of this distinguished officer and
The morthl 1 d nobleman were deposited in the cata-
deeply-lamente vioueo Church, Walcot, Bath, on Tues.
combs of St. SA
day last.

of
Mr.

easesase-e
ther the people are Mill to enjoy the general and eel.
looted responsibility of Ministers of the Crown, which
hitherto line been the retlutfiry n,kid eol3.oo,ltjitto-t1 prim-
tine to expect. Sir, the ilobie lord seemed to demur to
an observation of mine just now— be seemed to express
his incredulity at my statement, that it had been his in-
tention to go into Committee of Supply on Friday night.
Well, suppose it was not his intention, I se-' it was the
duty of the noble lord to go into Committee of Supply.
All I can say is I received authentic information— it
Was known to many gent!einen on both sides that the
Government would go into Committee of Supply on
Friday night. (Hear, hear.) But if that was not the
intention of the noble lord, 1 say—after the notice of my
lion. friend—he should have said, "We will give
the earliest opportunity for testing the opinion of the
House of Commons upon a question of this kind."
(Hear.) Heretofore it has been the invariable custom
of the Ministers, when the confidence of the house hi
their policy has been questioned, to bring the matter as
speedily as possible to an issue. But let the house con-
sider the peculiar circumstances under which the ques-
tion of confidence in the Government, as at present con-
stituted, was to be brought forward by my hon. friend.
It is not merely England, but it is Europe, that is
watching anxiously for the discussion now impending.
(Hear, hear.) I should have- thought that the noble
lord would seize the earliest opportunity to settle a ques-
tion so important, and would not have remained with
the energies of the Government paralysed, and the cha-
racter of the Government impaired, by a motion of this
gravity impending over him. It is the general feeling
of the country, and, I may say, without prejudging the
issue of the discussion, of the house also, that upon this
subject on early, an immediate, and, I will add, a com-
plete discussion ought to take place. (Hear.) Now,
sir, what does the noble lord say to-night ? lie
says, "Here are some papers which ought to be placed
on the table, and which ought to be read by hon. mem-
bers before they venture to express any opinions upon
the motion of the hon. member for Hertfordshire." Well,
I must say, with my views of the question at issue, that
it is one that can be but little affected by any papers
which can be laid upon the table. We have something
more authentic than any diplomatic documents to guide
our judgments on the present occasion. We have the
most authentic evidence in the world. We have the
speech of a Cabinet Minister, the principal actor on the
scene ; and it is on his own confession, on his own reve-
lations, on his own evidence, that I am perfectly prepared
to form my opinion and to give my vote. Ne doubt, if
the Minister rose and said that he thought it would be
more consonant with the spirit of justice of a free people
—and which I hope will ever pervade the discussions of
this house—not to proceed with the debate tohnorrew,
the house would have assented to his proposal. I should
not have raised any objection to the course he pro-
posed if he had acted with frankness, and said he would
allow the discussion to come on upon Monday ; or if he
had said, " When you have digested these papers I shall
be prepared to give you a day." Did the noble lord say
that ! (Hear.) No ; the noble lord stated that in the
course of next week, perhaps, the hon. gentleman might
find an opportunity to bring his motion forward. (No,
no, from the Ministerial benches, and cheers.) I appeal
to the house if it was not so. (Cheers.) Did the noble
lord say that he would go into committee of supply on
Monday ? (Hear.) Not a word of it ; and I dare say
he intended to take the Scotch Education Bill on that
day, or, if not then, to conclude the debate on Limited
Liability, and perhaps take a vote upon that all-interest-
ing subject. (Laughter and cheers.) If the noble lord
says that on Monday he will go into committee of sup-
ply, so that my hon. friend may then bring forward his
motion, and so that see may have a full discussion on
this important subject, of course I shall not trouble the
house with the motion which I have placed upon the
paper. (Hear, hear.) Whatever I may think of the
influence of these documents upon our opinion, it will
be quite enough for such an intimation to come from a
person in the position of the noble lord to induce me to
accede to it. But at the same time I say that it ought
to be coupled with a clear intimation from the noble lord
of the time when the discussion will take place. If the
noble lord had risen to state that on Monday the discus-
sion would take place, all that I should have done would
be to ask the permission of the house not to press the
motion of which I have given notice this evening. Of
course I shall persevere with that motion, and shall ask
the opinion of the house upon it unless I obtain from the
noble lord that which I am sure hon. gentlemen on both
sides of the house expect—namely, an intimation that
hon, members will receive these papers to-morrow, and
that he will on Monday next either give my hon. friend
a day on which to being forward his motion, or go into
Committee of Supply- and allow him to fulfil his original
intention. (Cheers.)
Lord PALMERSTON—ReaIIy, Sir, theright hon. gen-
tleman has made "much ado about nothing." (Laughter
and cheers.) In the first place, with regard to what
passed upon a former occasion, I am not aware that my
hon. friend fixed the Committee of Supply to take place
on Friday otherwise than in the way in which the Com-
mittee of Supply is always postponed as a matter of
course, from one Supply day to another. But this I will
say, that if I had fixed the Committee of Supply for
Friday, seeing the condition in which the house is
placed with regard to the motion of the hon. baronet,
seeing that the papers, with all the efforts that have
been made to expedite them, could not be. laid upon the
table till to-night, and that they would not be in the
hands of hon. members till to-morrow, I should have
pursued in regard to the Committee of Supply the same
course which I announced my intention of pursuing
with regard to the motion of the right hon, gentleman i
—namely, I should have postponed the Committee of
Supply, as I intended to oppose the motion, for the
special and avowed purpose of deferring the 'discussion
of the question until the papers had been in the posses-
sion of hon. members in time to enable them to read
them. Ido not shrink from the avowal that T should
have taken that course if it had been necessary for me to
do so. But, Sir, the right hon, gentleman, as I have al-
ready said before, makes " much ado about nothing" be-
cause what I stated was this—l stated my objection to
take a discussion to-morrow cn the motion of the i ion.
baronet the member for Hertfordshire, and also the Iva-
son why I entertained the objection ; but I said that aft.er
to-morrow I should throw no difficulty in the way of an y
arrangement which the hon. baronet might make. Well,
Sir, the right hon, gentleman objects to the totunt as not
including the pars. Why, if I gave the lion. gentleman a
whole week, surely) gave him Monday, if Monday would
suit him. It was not for me to settle matters between the
hon. baronet the member for Hertfordshire (Sir E. B.
Lytton) and the hon. and learned gentleman the member
for Sheffield (Mr. Roebuck), who has a notice upon the
paper for the next day. (Hear, and cheers) I think it
would have been very unbecoming for me to fix a posi-
tive day for the discussion of a motion which might last
probably more than one day. I thought that it would be
best not to interfere with the motions of hon. members,
and I left them to make their own arrangements. At the
same time I am perfectly prepared to say that if the hon.
baronet wishes to make his motion on Monday, on Mon-
day I will move the committee of supply. (Cheers.) I
have no wish to shrink from the discussion, and I have
nothing whatever to gain from postponing it. (Hear.)
I quite understand, and I am sure the house will under-
stand, that the right hon. ,gentleman the member for
Buckinghamshire, basing found that several motions of
censure and want of confidence in her Majesty's Go-
vernment had failed, in •consequence of the house un-
derstanding the subject that was to be discussed, was
desirous of hurrying on the motion of the hon. baronet
before hon. members had mace themselves properly
acquainted with the question. (" Oh, oh. !" arid
laughter.) It was a perfectly legitimate tactic on the
part of the right hon. gentleman, and the house will
quite comprehend it. It shows exactly the right bon.
gentleman's appreciation of the case which he has to
urge, inasmuch as he feels the great importance of
enabling the house to come to a decision upon the sub-
ject before they kno w anything of the real matter under
discussion. (Laughter and cheers.) I have now only
one word more to add with regard to the remarks of the
right hon. gentleman with respect to what has fallen
from my noble friend (Lord J. Russell). The right
hon. gentleman is not satisfied with the remarks of my
noble friend as to the If tatement which he had made on
a former occasion, respecting a decision of the Cabinet,
but he seems to think that in stating generally that a
certain proposition was considered and not adopted
my noble friend forgot his duty as a Privy Councillor.
Why, seldom a week passes in this house that some
member does not get up in his place and ask her Ma-
jesty's Government whether they will agree to certain
things, or whether they have adopted a certain measure. It
is absolutely necessary that we should state what the de-
cisions of the Government are ; but I never before hoard
any member pretend to say that the announcement in
public, re
either iu this house or elsewhere, of the decision
of the Government upon any given proposition was a de-
parture from the duty of a Privy Councillor. It would
be perfectly impossible to carry on the business of this
house in a manner satisfactory to the house and to the
public, if the members of the Government were never to
be allowed to state what was the general decision of the
Government upon any question which might be brought
before them. At present I shall not enter into any
further details, but I hope that I have satisfied the right
hon. gentleman that ho and his hon. friend may have
Monday to do what they please with it, and that the
hon. baronet will meet with no obstruction in bringing
forward his motion.

IMPERIAL PA RIA.AiI ENT,

nousn OF COMMONS-(YESTERDAY.)
THE AUSTRIAN PROPOSALS.
SIR B. LYTTON'S MOTION.
LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S STATEMENT.

Lord PALMERSTON- laid upon the table some
papers by command of her Majesty, on the subject of
the recent negotiations at Vienna. The noble lord said
—I may be allowed to take this opportunity of advert-
ing to the motion of the right hon. member for Bucks
(Mr. Disraeli), for this evening, that to-morrow the
" orders of the day" should be postponed, for the pur-
pose of enabling the hon. baronet the member for Herts
to bring on his motion. To that motion her Majesty's
Government will object for this reason, that the papers
now laid upon the table are such that they should be
read by lion, members before coming to the discussion
of that motion. After to-morrow the Government
would offer no objection whatever to the bringing for-
ward of the motion.
Lord J. RUSSELL—I will, with the permission of
the house, take occasion to refer to a question which I
understand was put in my absence by the right hon.
member for Bucks, as to whether I had obtained her
Majesty's consent to the statement which I made
with respect to the proceedings in the Cabinet of which
lam a member. What I had stated with respect to the
Cabinet was either what was perfectly well known, or
might have been inferred by any one who had followed
the course of recent events. Count Buol had thought
proper to issue a circular, which appeared in the public
papers, in which he referred to a confidential communi-
cation with M. Drouyn de l'Huys and myself. I stated
that the communication of the Austrian Government
had been considered by her Majesty's advisers. I be-
lieve that no one could suppose that, seeing in the pub-
lic papers that the Austrian Government had made a
proposition with a view to put an end to hostilities or to
take part in the war, that the English Government would
have refused altogether to look into or consider those
propositions. _I stated further that upon a full considera-
tion these propositions had not been assented to. I con-
ceive that must have been a fact of which every one
must have been aware, because if early in May any propo-
sition of the kind had been assented to there would have
been further communication with Russia, or further
conferences, and that fact would have been notorious to
the world. So that in effect there was nothing in what
I stated upon that subject which seemed to me to require
that I should ask the assent of her Majesty to the state-
ment which I made. As the right hon. gentleman has
raised the subject, I have submitted the question to her
Majesty, who has been graciously pleased to sanction
the statement which I made. I maybe, perhaps, allowed
to say that with respect to what I stated on a former
night, souse very erroneous inferences have been drawn
from what I said. I thought it necessary, as so much bad
been published, to make a statement of what the Austrian
propositions really were, and what was my opinion with
respect to them. It has been inferred from what I then
stated, that because I said at the end of April or the first
day of May that I thought those propositions might have
been accepted, that I think now these propositions
might form a basis for peace. Such a proposition would
be totally erroneous, and it is entirely contrary to the facts
to suppose that I consider now that these propositions
would form any satisfactory basis for peace. It was my
opinion at the time, as I stated the other day, and I re-
tain the opinion as to what might have been then a satis-
factory proposition. But I believe now that nothing
but a vigorous prosecution of the war will obtain terms
upon which a satisfactory peace can be secured. (Hear,
hear, and ironical cheers.)
Mr. DISRAELI—Sir, it occurs to me that since the
First Minister of the Crown has not thought it fit to
name any day for the discussion of the motion proposed
by the Hon member for Herts, it would have been more
convenient if his noble colleague had not made the state-
ment which he has made upon the subject of the length-
ened narrative with which be favoured the house on Fri-
day night last, which has so greatly disquieted the coun-
try. Ido not think that the statement which the noble
lord has made has at all changed his situation with re-
spect to the house, as regards the narrative which he
delivered on the night to which I have referred. I did
not, nor did any one else, on Friday night maintain that
in consequence of the speech of the noble lord he was
at this moment of opinion that peace ought to be nego-
tiated with Russia upon the basis of the proposition
which he had disapproved on Friday ; that was a point
which was not the least brought into consideration ; but
the point which startled the house, and, I think I may
say, greatly disquieted the public mind in this country,
is that it came out, not by hazard, but from a statement
formally and definitely given, and in a manner well ma-
tured on the part of the noble lord, that he had returned
to Englard with a project of pacification of which be ap-
proved, asd which neither the great majority of this
house, nor of the country, either then, or at this time,
or any other time, would sanction, and that ho had
recommended that project to his colleagues, but in
consequence of their refusal to adopt it he did feel
that be was bound to consider whether it was not
his duty to retire from the Government ; and,
though influenced by their consideration he remained
a member of that Administration, he shortly after-
wards came down to this house and made a speech
which conveyed to the country that he was au un-
compromising advocate fur the continuance of the war.
(Cheers.) Further, that he had returned from Vienna
with the conviction that an uncompromising prosecution
of the war was absolutely necessary, and conveying also
to this house that he was convinced by his experience at
the conferences that any attempt at negotiation with a
reasonable hope of success was utterly impossible. By
tide means he conveyed to the house and the country an
impression that seems to me utterly inconsistent with
the facts of the case. (Cheers.) Ido not think the state-
ment which he has made to the house this evening, that
lie is really in favour of a vigorous prosecution of the
war, will greatly reassure the daunted spirit of the
nation. (Cheers.) I shall not make any observation
with respect to the question which I was obliged to ad-
dress to him in his absence on Tuesday night—a question
which I consider a most constitutional one. The noble
lord has admitted that he had not the royal sanction to
niche the communication with respect to what took
place of which he informed the house. He seems
to think that it was a mere matter of course what
he then stated, that there were other ways of obtaining.
the information which he then afforded the house. But
after all, what was the information ? That there had
been discussion and difference of opinion in the Cabinet
—that in consequence of this discussion and this diffe-
rence of opinion upon the most important question of
the age, he had even contemplated the necessity of ten-
dering his resignation ; that he was influenced by their
consideration not to take that step. He now says we
might have learned all this from the usual organs of in-
formation, and from the circulars of foreign ministers.
However, I differ entirely with him, and I say that it is
impossible for the house to have information on that
state of affairs, had it not been for the communica-
tion which I lave yet to learn he was authorised to
make without having first obtained the gracious
permission of her Majesty. (Cheers.) The noble
lord at the head of the Government bas found
fault with the notice of motion which I have placed
upon the paper to-night, the object of which was to in-
sure for the motion of my hon. friend the member for
Herts the opportunity and certainty of its being brought
forward to-morrow night. What were the circumstances
under w hick that notice was given ? It was on last Fri-
day the noble lord the Secretary for the Colonies made
the speech which has created so painful a sensation in
the country. My hon. friend anticipated the general feel-
ing of the house and of the country in his conviction that
no time should be lost in ascertaining the opinion of the
house with respect to the statements of one of the most
important members of the Cabinet. We are at the pre-
sent moment involved in a war of magnitude, which de-
mands the exertion of our utmost energies, and on the
part of the nation that firmness of spirit which can only
result from having clear ideas of what is the convictio

of those who are entrusted with the management of
affairs, and who are called upon to use their utmost en-
deavours to carry into effect the policy which we sanc-
tion. The people of this country suddenly find that one
of the most eminent members of the Cabinet, who some
weeks ago was addressing the country through this house
in tones which conveyed his conviction that the coun-
try was embarked in a great struggle, and that it was
absolutely necessary to summon all their energies to the
contest, they now find that on that very day, or a few
days after, he had recommended to his colleagues to end
this quarrel in a manner which, if it had been sanc-
tioned by the house, would show that there is no interest
at stake which justified the immense sacrifices which we
are now called upon to make. It becomes therefore in-
vitable that not a moment should be lost without the

opinion of th• home being taken upon the position of the
Government, as at present constituted, a direct vote
being given as to whether the continuance of this coun-

ell is satisfactory fur the country at a moment of such
national exigency. (Cheers.) Now it happened that we
heard from a member of the Administration the most
competent to give proper information on the subject, that
the house was to go into a committee of supply to-mor-
row. This was the earliest opportunity my hon. friend
could command, it was the most constitutional one for
bringing forward matters of grievance, for what na-

tional grievance can be so great as that the country
should be involved in a war of magnitude, conducted
by Ministers who are not unanimous in opinion with re-
spect to the necessity of that war? (Loud cheers.)
Well, my hon. friend gave his notice, and what then
happened ? The noble lord the leader of the house in-
stantly changes the order of business for Friday—(hear)
and, with the recollection of last Friday's debate still in
his memory, and knowing, as every gentleman in this
house knows, whatever his opinions may be, that no
other subject than that has occupied the public mind
since the notice of my hon. friend was given, the noble
lord when asked, according to our forms, what business
he would proceed with on Friday, says, with great com-
poi4ire, "The new Partnership Bill and the Limited Lia-
bility
Bill." (Laughter.) These are the measures of
deep and absorbing interest which are to be introduced
to the consideration of the House of Commons at a mo-
ment when there is not a man walking the streets of
London who is not asking, " What is to be the fate of
my country if it is involved in a great war, and that
war is to be prosecuted by a Cabinet which is not
unanimous as to the necessity of the war ?" (Rear.)
What is the Partnership Bill ? What the people of
England want to know is the condition of the partner-
ship in Downing-street. (Hear, and laughter.) They
want to know whether the principle of limited liability I
is prevalent in that locality—(great laughter)—or whe- •

Sir E. B. LYTTON—The noble lord has said tha
my right hon. friend has made " much ado about no•t
thing." laui not surprised at that, because in point of

chronological order, I think "Much Ado about Nothing"
comes just after "The Comedy of Errors." (Laughter.)
I do not know in what degree the production of these
papers, which in the opinion of the Government ought to
be in the hands of hon. members before my motion is dis

cussed, may lighten the charge which it is my intention
to bring against the noble lord, but I am extremely glad
that they should be prcAluced before the discussion is
entered into. It is not my wish, nor can jt be the wish
of any man, that anything. unfair should be done towards
the Government ; and if the production of these papers
will save me from committing an error upon any single
point I shall be happy to have them produced. (Hear.)
Therefore, as far as I am concerned, I accept the expla-
nation of the noble lord, and I accept also the day
which- the noble lord proposes. (Cheers.) Perhaps,
however, he will allow rue to mention a suggestion which
has been made to me,. that it would be more convenient
and snore suited to the importance of the question if I
were allowed to bring on the resolution as a substantive
motion rather than upon going into committee of supply.
Lord PALMERSTON—I have no objection. (Hear.)
Sir E. B. LYTTON—Then I have nothing further to
say, except that I accept the day which the noble lord
has proposed.

Sir J. WALSH was anxious that the subject should