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

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.

HOUSE OP LORDS—Last Evening,

The LORD CIIANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsa 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 remonstrance
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 so:ders for its army in the terri-
tories of one with which it desired to be at peace. The
offence at one time was considered so groat that it was
punishable with death, and he found in 1749
three men were actually executed for the com-
mission 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 ho knew no steps
had been taken to stop the illegal proceeding. He held it
to bo 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 bo supposed that
the Irish Government had not reported the fact to the Go-
vernment on this side 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
Federallarmy. He would give their lordships one instance,
which he thought 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 stops with regard
to the person that when found, although ho had set out
under the pretence that he wished to secure the services of
2,000 mon, he had barely sufficient to pay his own expenses.
Ho 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 either Liverpool or
Dublin, who would testify ho 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 mon who
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 boon most partial, and not at all
in consonance with the honour and dignity of the oountry.
Tho noble marquis concluded his observations by repeating
his question.
Earl RUSSELL said ho did not think it necessary to
refer to, or discuss many of the subjects brought: forward
by the noble lord. He admittod 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 tha 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. Tho Government of Ireland, however,
through the police, would not fail to keep watch on any
suspicious proceedings. No representations had been made
to the Government of tho United States oa the subject.
Lord DONOUGHMORE strongly urged the Govern.
ment to some course of action on this matter.
Lord GRANVILLE cited several cases to prove the
difficulty of acting. Notwithstanding all the rumours of
enlistments only ono case had really been brought under the
attention of the authorities, and in that the proof woe 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.
RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL.
Sir J, FERGUSSON asked the President of the Board
of Trade whether he would postpone the second reading of
the Railways Constructien Bill and Railways Facilities
Bill for one week ?
hire M. GIBSON answered fn the affirmative.
CIVIL SERVICE AND MISCELLANEOUS
ESTIMATES.
Mr. MA.RSII drew the attention of the house to the fad
that the civil and miscellaneous estimates had been for
many years incroastng, and contended that they ought, with
a due regard to economy, to be reduced. He ridiculed the
idea of paying an increased amount for the support of our
convict population, when the circumstances of the country
were improved. Labour being more abundant and more
adequately remunerated, the temptations to crime were
diminished.
Mr. PEEL said ho was not surprised that Mr. Marsh
should desire to see the amount of these estimates reduced,
and no doubt, if his views could be carried out, the Civil
Service Estimates might be very greatly reduced indeed.
But he could not think the house would adopt those views
without considerable hesitation and without much dircus-
sion. His answer to the motion was that much of the in-
crease in the Civil Service Estimates were more apparent
than real, and that, so far from its being a matter of regret,
it should be viewed with satisfaction, since it arose from the
carrying out the principle of bringing as much as possible
of the expenditure of the oountry under the eye of Parlia-
ment. He then explained in much detail the transfer of
charge which had been made from other branches of the
revenue accounts to the Civil Service Estimates, and other
arrangements in the public accounts, which, while they re-
lieved other heads of the expenditure, or enhanced the ap-
parent produce of the revenue, augmented the Civil Service
charges, showing, as he proceeded, the actual sum of each
transfer, or that thrown by each now financial arrangement
upon the Civil Service, the aggregate amount leaving only
£300,000 as the debenture increase of these estimates, part
of which aroso frJrn exceptional charges.
Mr. TORRENS adverted to the heavy judicial charges
at the Cape of Good Hope connected with the suppression
of the slave trade.
After some remarks by Mr. NEWDEOATE and Mr. W.
E
Mr. BIARSII withdrew his motion,
Lord C. PAGET obtained leave to bring in a bill to
amend the law relating to naval prize; a bill to provide for
agency and distribution of naval prize ; and a bill to repeal
certain Naval Prize Acts.
The Malt for Cattle Bill and tho Conveyancers, &c. (Ire-
land) Bill were read a third time and passed.
The report of the Committee of Supply was brought up
and agreed to.
The hence adjourned at five minutes to 7 o'clock,