The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-01 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS--This Evening.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack 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 solders 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 great 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 he knew no stops
had been taken to stop the illegal proceeding. He bold it
to be a diegraco 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 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
Federaljarmy. He would give their lordships one instance,
which he thought would illustrate the manner in which
the systan 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 Clanricardo) 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.
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 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 men 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 ho 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. lie 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.
[LEFT EirEAKING.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Evening,
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
POOR-LAW STATUTES.
Mr. HIBBERT asked the President of the 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 is being made by the Poor
Law Board to procure the consolidation of such statutes.
Mr. VILLIERS said that the Poor Law Board had no
intention of taking any steps on ,the direction which the
hots. member referred.
THE BARK SCIENCE.
Mr. HASSARD asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs if it was true that, upon the last day ap-
pointed for the adjudication at Nuw Orleans upon the case
of the bark Science, seized at Matamoros, viz., the 23d of
January legit, no appearance was made on the part of the
captors, nor was any future day appointed for the hearing
of the case; and, in the event of these facts being true, if
her Majesty's Government would demand the immediate
eleare of said vessel ?
Mr. LAYARD said that the Government was not in
possession of any information on the subject.
MR. WHITWORTH'S GUNS.

In reply to Mr. GREGOILY,
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said that Mr. Whitworth had not
supplied guns of an adequate calibre to enable the Govern-
ment to test them effectually.
DESPATCHES ON DANISH AFFAIRS.
Mr, D. GRIFFITH asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, .whether there is not in the papers on
Danish affairs a despatch from himself to Sir A. Paget, of
date of the 30th November, 18G3, to which an answer is
returned by Sir A. Paget from Copenhagen, dated the let
December, MG t, and how he accounts for so rapid an
answer if the transmission of the first despatch was not by
telegraph.
Mr. LAYARD said that as it was impossible to travel
from London to Copenhagen in 24 hours, tho communica-
tion referred to must have been made by the medium of the
telegraph.
THE EASTER RECESS.

In reply to Mr. Mum,
Lord PALMERSTON said the adjournment of the
house for the Easter recess would be regulated by the state
of business. (Laughter.)
THE CRAWLEY COURT MARTIAL.
Lord HOTHAM gave notice that on a future he would
draw the attention of the house to this subject.
RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL.
Sir J. FEItGUSSON asked the President of the Board
of Trade whether he would postpone the second reading of
the Railways Construction Bill and Railways Facilities
Bill for one week.
Mr. M. GIBSON answered in the affirmative.
CIVIL SERVICE AND
IinCELL.ANEOTTEI
EES.
Mr. MARSH drew the attention of the house to the fact
that the civil and miscellaneous estimates had been for
many years increasing, and contended that they ought, with
a duo 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.
F. PEEL then rose, and was
[LEFT SPEARING.]