The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-20 00:00:00

CAPTURE OF THE MARTABAN.

Mr. G. S. LEFEVRE asked the Under Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs whether it was true that a British
ship, the Martaban, had been captured by the Alabama,
end burnt by order of its captain; and, if so, what steps
the Government are taking to obtain reparation, and to
prevent the repetition of such outrages ?

Mr. LAYARD said that no information had been re-
ceived on the subject by Government, and they knew
nothing of the matter except through the newspapers.

RECOGNITION OF MEXICO AS AN EMPIRE.

Mr. S. BEAUMONT asked the Under Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, if any communications had been
addressed, during the recess, to her Majesty's Government
vith the view to a recognition of an empire in Mexico ;
sad, if so, whether he would lay them upon the table of the
house ?

Mr. LAYARD said no such information had been re-
ceived by tho Government, who declined giving any opinion
on the subject.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY AND THE SALE OF
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Lord ELCHO asked the First Commissioner of Works
whether the Government had taken any, and, if so, what
steps to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal
Commission on the Royal Academy; and, when the re-
moval of the late intetaational exhibition building would
be completed, and what was intended to be done with the
site?

Mr. COWPER said that the Royal Commission had
recommended an alteration in the Royal Academy, the
exnutive of which were now deliberating. With regard
to the second question, the site of the International Exhi-
tion had not yet been cleared ; but although the removal
was going on rapidly, no precise time had been fixed for
erecting a buiHing on the site with reference to the dis•
posal of the whole site.

DUTY ON RAGS.
Lord STANLEY asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs whether her Majesty's Government,was
In communicati ,n with ary foreign Power with a view to
the reduction or abolition of the export duty imposed by the
latter on rags; and whether there would be any objection
to an early production of the correspondence.
Mr. LAYARD said the subject had not been lost sight
of by hsr Majesty's Government, and, as negotiations with
Austria, Portugal, and other States were proceeding, he
trusted the question would not be then pressed.
SALARY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
CHARITY BOARD.

Mr. FEIIRAND asked the First Commissioner of the
Charity Board, in what act of Parliament the clause was in-
serted which increases the salary of the secretary from
£6OO to £BOO ; and whether public notice was given to the
house that such clause was intended to be inserted ?
Mr. LOWE said he had hoped the hon. member who
had access to the act of 1860 would have taken the trouble
of informing himself on the subject—(laughter)--but as the
hon. member had not done so, he (Mr. Lowe) had done as him-
self. The officer in question was a barrister, and as there had
been an increase in his duties it was thought only just that
there should be an increase in his salary. He availed him-
self of that opportunity to make a personal explanation
in reference to what he had said on a previous
evening, and ha wished it to be understood that
it was not his intention to have said anything dero-
gatory to the commissioners of the charity, which he con-
sidered one of the ablest, most industrious, and honourable
bodies in her Majesty's service.
REMOVAL OF THE ASSIZES FROM YORK.

Mr. MORRITT asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, whether it was finally decided that the
assizes should be moved from York to any other place ?
Sir G. GREY said that no final decision had been
come to, and no opinion had been expressed on the
subject, but assizes must always necessarily be held
at York. It was recommended that assizes should be held
at Leeds, but there could be no decision on the subject
until there had been an order in Council.
GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES BILL.

Mr. H. B. SHERIDAN asked the Chancellor of the
Exchequer whether it is was intention to proceed with the
Government Annuities Bill this evening,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
had no objection to postpone the bill, and regretted that its
object had not been properly understood. He would there-
fore postpone the committee until Monday week.