The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-02 00:00:00

CHAIN CABLES AND ANCHORS BILL.

Mr. LAIRD moved that thE, house should go into com-
mittee on this bill.

Mr. M. GIBSON wished to propose that before going
into committee of the whole house on this bill it would be
very desirable that it should be referred to a select commit-
tee. The subject was one of a very special kind, and many
technical points had to be considered for the good working
of the measure. It was desirable for all parties that the
bill should undergo a very strict investigation before a
select committee. It was not an unfrequent course for the
house to adopt in cases of this kind, and there were two or
three points in the bill which it was very necessary a select
committee should well weigh. Ho moved as an amendment
that the bill be referred to a select committee.
Mr. W. CRAWFORD seconded the amendment, which,
after a short discussion, was agreed to.
POOR RELIEF COMMITTEE.
It was agreed that the name of Sir William Miles
should be added to the committee.
NAVAL BILLS.
Several bills connected with naval matters were brought
on by Mr. BRAND, and read a first time.
The house adjourned at 20 minutes to 1.

lIOUSE OP LORDS--Last Evening,
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolga ck
at five o'clock.

AMERICAN RECRUITING IN IRELAND.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved for copies of
any reports that may have been received by her Majesty's
Government respecting recruiting in Ireland for the North
American army, and asked whether any remcnstrance
against such proceedings had been addressed to the Federal
Government. The noble marquis said he felt the subject of
such importance as to bring it under the notice of Parlia-
ment, and he did not think a graver offence against enter-
national law could be committed than the endeavour of a
foreign country to enlist soAers for its army in the terri-
tories of one with which it desired to bo at peace. The
offence at one time was considered so great that it was

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punishable ^ with death, and he found in 1749
three men were actually executed for the cora-
minion of the crime, and it was not until 1819 that

the act was abolished. It was a notorious fact that recruit-

ing had been going on in Ireland for the Federal Govern-
ment for the last two years, and as far as he knew no steps
had been taken to stop the illegal proceeding. He held it
to be a disgrace to the country such a state of things
should be permitted. (Hear, hear, from the Oppo-
sition.) There was no doubt the Irish Government
knew what was going on, and it was not to be supposed that
the Irish Government had not reported the fact to the Go-
vernment on this aide of the water. The only conclusion
that could be drawn from the statistics published by the
Emigration Committee was that numbers of the able bodied
young men emigrating to America were intended for the
Federaljarmy. He would give their lordships one instance,
which he tkonght would illustrate the manner in which
the system was worked. An Irishman arrived in Galway,
and put about that he wished to secure the services of a
number of young men for a contractor in America. He
(the Marquis of Clanricarde) took such steps with regard
to the person that when found, although he had set out
under the pretence that he wished to secure the services of
2,000 men, he had barely sufficient to pay his own expenses.
He told him his opinion of the matter, and instead of
referring him to any subject of her Majesty, the person re-
ferred him to the American consul at eithe,.. Liverpool or
Dublin, who would testify he was a person of solvent cir-
cumstances, and quite able to carry out all he proposed to
do. Why, it was perfectly clear that the object this person
had in view was neither more nor less than to secure
the services of young men for the American army.
The noble lord then referred to the case of the six menwho
had been enlisted in Cork Harbour for the Federal
frigate Kersage. These men were in the most paltry man-
ner prosecuted for offences,instead of any steps being taken to
remonstrate against such proceedings on the part of the
American Government. (Hear, hear.) That he consi-
dered was the proper course for her Majesty's Government,
yet, instead of doing that, they preferred to press
heavily upon the six poor men. He considered the neu-
trality of this country had been most partial, and not at all
in consonance with the honour and dignity of the country.
The noble marquis concluded his observations by repeating
his question.
Earl RUSSELL said he did not think it necessary to
refer to, or discuss many of the subjects brought, forward
by the noble lord. He admitted that such an offence as the
noble lord had described was undoubtedly a breach of the
Foreign Enlistment Act, and that it was the duty of the
Government to take steps to put a stop to such proceedings.
Ho thought it probable that many who were induced to go
to America with the prospect of getting higher wages after-
wards entered the Federal army; but, what they might do
on arriving in America could not be a violation of the En •
listment Act. The Government of Ireland, however,
through the police, would not fail to keep watch on any
suspicious proceedings. No representations had been made
to tho Government of the United States o a the subject.
Lord DONOUGIDIORE strongly urged the Govern.
ment to some course of action on this matter.
Lord GRA.NVILLE cited several cases to prove the
difficulty of acting. Notwithstanding all the rumours of
enlistments only one case had really been brought under the
attention of the authorities, and in that the proof was de-
fective. If the enlistments were so notorious in Ireland as
they were represented it would not be so difficult to obtain
any proof of them.
In reply to a question by Lord DERBY as to the re-
ported movements of the Fenian Brotherhood,
Lord GRANVILLE stated that its proceedings were
watched, but he believed, on investigation, they would
prove to be of the most contemptible character.
Lord CLANRICARDE said that he would not press his
motion.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS--Last Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
POOR-LAW STATUTES.

Mr. HIBBERT asked the President of tho Poor.law
Board whether, with a view to simplify and render more
easy of reference the very numerous statutes relating, to
the relief of the poor, any effort was being made by the Poor
Law Board to procure the consolidation of such statutes ?
Mr. VILLIERS said that the Poor Law Board had no
intextion of taking any steps on ;the direction which the
hon. member referred.