The Sun.
London, England, 1852-11-23 00:00:00

r%f

FRANCE.

AMERICA.

Business
Lemi
Shr. Paid RAILWAYS. Companng s Closing Prices
' done.
50 all Bedford and Lorcion &
Bletchley N. West. •••
30,1 all Birm. & Oxfd.
gua.rantcc, Gt.Westu. 291 301
304 all Do.withoutgr Do 29 30
304 all Birm•Wolv. &
Dudley guar. Do 3O 31
304 all Do.wthtguar. Do 29 30
St. 100 Buckghamsh. L. &N.W lO9 111
50 all Clydesdale Jc. Caledon 52 -- 53
St. 100 E.Lincoln. gr.
6p. cent .. ... Clt.Notrhu 149 151
25 all GlstrADn•Fr. Gt. Westu. 33 331
25 all Glas. Barr. &
Neilsn•DiredCaledon • •••
•
25 all Do. New Do •.•
100 all Hrtlpl. Dk. & Yk. New
Railway & Berw.. . . . .
50 all Hall & Selby Y.&N.Md. 113 11•5
95 all L. Shares Do 561 57
122 all D. Shares. Do 27 28
12-a. all Lon.&Greenw S.Eastern l4 144
20 all Do. Preference Do 251
20 all Lowestoft gr.
4 per cent... Norfolk
20 all Do. 6 per ct... Do
51 all Hanch•Bxton. Lu.&N.W
and Matlock & Midld 2i 3i
50 all Middleebro' & Stekton &
Redcar Darlingt. ••• -- •• •
100 all Aidld. Bradfd Midland... 107 —10 g
50 all Northern and
Easternsp.c. E. Count.. 64 66
50 all Do. 6 per et Do
50 all Do.Fised.sn.c Do . .
25 all Prczt. & Wyre L. &•N . W
&Ln& Yk •• •
121 112 Do. 1 Shares. Do
St. 100 Roystn.& Hit. M.Northu 149 151
St. 100 Do.Shepth.St. Do 149 151
25 I.Bq chef. Roth. & Lancash.&
Go ol eg. 5. p. c Yorksh .• •
12 Staffordsh.. MrMClean d
50 all WcarValleygr Stockt. &
6 per cent ... Darling ...
25 all Do Do 32 - - 33 33
St. 100 Wilts &Somrst Gt.Westu lO5l 1051

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The Moniteur contains 37 telegraphic dispatches
from east, west, north, and south, Xll to the same
effect, that the people are voting with enthusiasm
for the Empire. The dispatches in question em-
brace the towns of Valence, Dijon, Metz, Bar-le-
Due, Rouen, Tours, Poictiers, Besangon, Nevers,
Nantes, Lyons, acon, Bourges, Chateauroux,
Calais, Chartres, Amiens, Orleans, Strasbourg,
Colmar, Chalons, St. Etienne, Lisle, Montbrison,
Nancy, Bordeaux, and Angoueme.
In Paris, on Sunday, 105,000, or more than
one-half of the electors, voted. In the Banlieue,
whole communes marched to the poll in a sort of
military order with flags, and voted en masse for
the Empire.
. The votes of the army of Paris, as received by
the Minister of War, gave the following result
Yes 20,077
No 353
The telegraphic dispatches cannot of course give
numerical details, but the terms in which they are
conveyed leave no doubt as to the result. At Val-
ence, despite heavy rain, the people were voting in
crowds. The country people about Dijon entered
the town, following banners, and crying " Vive
l'Empereur." At Metz, a larger majority was ex-
pected than had appeared on the 20th of December.
The same was said of Rouen, Besancon, of Stras-
burg, of St. Etienne, of Lisle, and of Chalons.
The Echo of Valenciennes, of Saturday, contains
the following
"We understand that the Duke de Bassano, the
French ambassador in Belgium,: not wishing to lose his
electoral right, will avail himself of the facility afforded
by the railway to come to this place to-morrow to vote.
He will be accompanied by all 'the persons connected
with the embassy, and will return with them to Brussels
in the evening."
The Prefect of the Herault, agreeably to instruc-
tions from the Government, has announced that
extensive measures of clemency will be adopted to-
wards those parties who have been condemned by
the mixed commissions, who, by a formal decla-
ration, shall renounce their former bad conduct,
and promise peace and submission for the future.
The Constitlytionnel remarks as follows on the
elections :

ARRIVAL OF THE NIAGARA.

Shortly before 12 o'clock yesterday forenoon the
British and North American Royal Mail steam-
ship Niagara, Capt. Stone, arrived in the Mersey
from Boston and Halifax, the former of which ports
she left on the 10th and the latter on the 12th inst.
The Niagara brought 38 passengers and 15,000
dollars in specie.
The Niagara experienced very strong easterly
winds during the greater part of her passage,
which occupied 11 days 18 hours mean time.
The Royal Mail steam-ships Africa and Canada,
hence with the mails, had arrived—the former at
New York on the 4th, and the latter at Halifax on
the 11th inst.

The intelligence by this arrival is three days
later that brought by the Washington.
We learn from Nassau, N.P., 'that the cholera
still lingers upon the island. The mortality has
been very great.
According to the New York Herald, an attempt
has been made to murder its editor, James Gordon
Bennett, 4 la Napoleon, by means of an infernal
machine.

Advices from California had arrived per the Star
of the West to the 16th October, two months later
than the Georgia's advices. The intelligence is in-
teresting. Great excitement existed among the
bankers and merchants of California, in consequence
of the adoption of the Treasury order refusing the
receipt of assay ingots in payment of the public
dues—a measure which is calculated to operate inju-
riously upon the interests of the mercantile classes.
The prospects at the mines point to favourable re-
sults from the labours of the winter. Not much
progress is making just at this time, in consequence
of the active preparations for the approaching
season. The shipments of specie have accordingly
fallen off in some degree. The crops in California
have fallen somewhat short of expectation, probably
attributable to the light rains. The miscellaneous
news is of no importance.
Interesting intelligence is received from Mexico
to the middle of October. The city of Mexico was
in a ferment. The extra session of Congress had
convened, and the Cabinet Ministers were on the
point of impeachment. Opposition presses have
multiplied, which ply the Governine,nt with re-
proaches and bitter attacks, and the condition of
the country is more unfortunate than ever.
The Government has authorised the arrest of all
military personages who are destitute of passports.
The state of Vera Cruz has sent two commissioners
to confer with the Supreme Government in relation
to the recent insurrections, and a bill granting an
amnesty to the Vera Cruz insurgents had been in-
troduced into Congress. General Cardenas has
assumed the government of the state of Tamaulipas.
Some excitement existed at Vera Cruz, in conse-
quence of the reported approach of a French squa-
dron to support the claims of the French Minister
for the payment of creditors of the Republic. A
Spanish vessel was also looked for, to enforce the
payment of Spanish claims. The news from all
parts of the country is prophetic of evil tidings.
The New York stock market was buoyant, with
large sales in investment as well as speculative
stocks. Prices for all the leading sectuities had
advanced. The money -market was without altera-
tion. Exchange firmer. Bills on London, 110 f
to 1101; Paris, 5 15 to 5 131; Hamaurg 3612 to
36 ft ; Bremen, 791- to 74 ; Amsterdam, 41 to 41s.Cotton had advanced a quarter cent per pound,
with large sales ; the stock at New York was nearly
exhausted, and, there being several large foreign
orders to execute, it was expected that there would
be a further advance. The flour market ivPs very
firm, with a good home clemcnd ; for export not
much inquiry. For wheat the demand was not
gso i
n a active,grea
great
the
measure advance
ch reportedeekeci o operations.
lastrati steamer
mAelrl
very
.fi,rm, at
having
eriptions of.provisions were in goordhdhedm.afinodurat,
tv2hsee.ry6focfill.lrmopt prices.nrrarte el Freightss.
beef, ss. 6d. to 6's. per tierce. The iron market
was depressed; 150 tons Scotch pig were reported
" turpentine,Tobacco,tL 305.°3115.d peroplle barrel ; and
at 31 dollars six months.

32 - :3 '
10q - 103.

.00 I wilts &Somrst

Gt.Westu.

FOREIGN.

Paid I BAILWATS.

Closing rrlees

818111688 done
this Day.

3 BelgianEasut. auuct.
all Cauti•al of Frar cc(Or•

1 - 2

"According to the information which has reached
us from a number of the electoral sections of Paris, the
number of voters on the first day exceeded the half of
the number inscribed. The most perfect order reigned
throughout. There was never any very extraordinary
crowd of voters, but the electors succeeded each other in
such a manner that the voting went on uninterruptedly.
It was remarked that a number of electors who, from
their great age, have usually kept aloof from the ballots,
gave their votes on this decisive occasion. One magis-
trate in the retired list, 98 years of age, came to give his
vote in favour of the nephew of the man who had re-
established the reign of the laws in France."
The Pays says that the number of votes in-
scribed in the twelve arrondissements amounts to
212,824, out of whom 103,221 voted on the first

leans &
all Chi ieroi & Erg=lin.
all Demerara

13 - 15

6 Dijon and Besangon.
8 D atch Rhenish

4
—1 d
8A 9 P
3* —3i P

all I East Indian

all Gt. Indian Peninsula
4 Gd. Junet. of France
1W Gt. Wes tern of Canada
Shares
Do.Bds. (Ist i55.)1857
Do.Bds. (2d i55.)1862
14 Lu:;embourg
10 Do. (Railway)
1 Do.

par 1 p

20
10
5
5

7i
-
-
1 - 14
10 -12 p
2- 3 p

Do. (Canal)

5--ILyons and Avignon,
4.4 Madras

2§ 1 Maria Antonia ..

10 'Do. New

all Namur & Liege (wit]
interest)
all Do. (ex interest)

8 -
34t - 35<
14 -

all Northern of France
all Do. 20/. 3 p. c. Bds
(fmy. B. &Ams. Shs. ),
all NorwegianTrunkßvi
11 Orleans & Bordeaux
10 Paris and Lyons

lot --
thip

28 Do. Bonds
all Paris and Orleans
all Paris and Rouen

66 - 68
38 - 40
33i
5 - 5 p
20 - i 211)
- ll

all Paris and Strasbourg
4 ParisCsen &Cherbrg.
2i Queboe &Richmond..
all Rouen and Havre....
all Sambre and Meuse...
4 St. And. & Quebec(A)
17 Tours and Nantes....
2s. Upper India Scrip
all West Flanders ......
4 Do. 5i per c. Pref....
9 Western of France...

4~ -5;

- ...
- 10 p

IIIN:

all Agua Fria
all Anglo Californian
2 Australasian
5 Australian

- F
14, •-• _ -

ja
p
I d
di—
lyacl
d par •
gd— d
7 8

all Australian Freehold.
all Australian Cordillera
all Ave .laria

all Baden (Gd. Duchy of)
13.5 British Austrin. Gold
5 British Iron
24i Brazilianlmp. (issued
at £5 pm
all Do. Comes & Cuiada
15 Do. St. John Del Rey
all Carsons's Creek

all ICobre Copper

1 'Colonial Gold,

28 9i

14 I Copiapo

all English and Austin.
all Copper Srneltg. Co
General
all Golden Mountain
all Great Polgooth
all aka Bathurst
all Liberty
all Lond.&Californ. Gold
Quartz Crush. Co
all Mariquita
_ _ . •

9 Mexican&S.Americn
all New Granada
all Nouveau Monde
all Port Philip
all Quarts Rock
all Rhymme Iron
10i Santiago do Cuba
all South Australian ,
7 Tin Croft .......

all United Mexican
all West Mariposa
all Yuba

- 51
2 --
30 -30 A
P 43 • 45
k -14 P
6i - 7tl

i i d

di
h—l P
$ d
1.1,p

al
p
41 -- 5
d par
-- 1 p
P
a_ r
19 --21
13i 14
p --
11ar 12 P
8
d par
par -- P

"EOCTS.

3 -
50 - 51
33 -37 i
29 -- 30
5 -

Pm

.A I

7i i

34

501 xd
2 -2;
_2l -- 2i

day.
A considerable number of Deputies have already
arrived in Paris. The Chamber, as our readers
are aware, meets on the 25th.
A committee of tradesmen has just been formed
with a view of presenting to Louis Napoleon a
sword of honour, and a diadem enriched with
diamonds. The committee met on Saturday in
the saloons of a restaurateur in the Palais Royal.
The Journal des Debats has the following para-
graph
" Some English journals again repeat that the Duke
of Wellington was a Marshal of France and Duke de
Brunnoy in France. That is an error which was long
since propagated, and contradicted so often that we did
not think serious journals would repeat it any more."
The Bourse closed firm, with an advance on
Saturday's prices. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents.
opened at 106 f., and closed at 106 f. 80c. for the
end of the month ; the Three per Cents. closed at
85f. 30c.

42 -42 i

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS IN
THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE—Nov. 22.
Dijon and Besancon, 10/—Dutch Rhenish, 6k—Grand
Junction of France, 7:1—Luxembourg Railway, s—Madras,
74—Namur and Liege (with interest), B—Northern of
France, 35I—Ditto, 201. 3 p. c. Bonds (fray. B. & Amiens
Shares), 15—Paris and Lyons, 26f—Paris and Strasbourg,
33i—Quebec and Richmond, 34—Rouen and Havre, 20i
Sambre and Meuse, 1Q—Upper India Scrip, p.—Wes
Flanders, 58—Western of France, 19.

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 23, 1852.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT..

HOUSE OF LORDS.—YESTERDAY.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
at five o'clock.

The Duke of NEWCASTLE presented a petition from
Glasgow, praying for the removal of all indirect taxes,
and for the imposition of a direct and general Income-
tax. Also, two petitions from Auckland, in Nevi Zea-
land, expressing their extreme surprise at the revenues of
the colony being pledged for the payment of the losses of
the New Zealand Company, and praying for a reversal of
recent legislation on this subject.
Lord PANMURE presented several petitions from
different parts of Scotland, praying for the abolition of
all religious tests for professors of the Scotch universities.

OPENING OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE ON
SUNDAY. •
Lord PANMURE presented a petition against the
opening of the Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Earl of DERBY took the present opportunity of
correcting a misapprehension which had existed on this
subject. He himself had had an interview with the
directors of the Crystal Palace Company, during which
this question had been brought forward. For his own
part he had no hesitation in saying, notwithstand-
ing the many representations which he had received, that
subject to certain restrictions, to which he believed the
directors were willing to submit, the opening of the Crys-
tal Palace on Sunday, so far from being a desecration
of the Sabbath, would be productive of great advantage
in enabling the population of London to obtain those ad-
vantages which the company would afford to them on the
Sunday afternoon. (Cheers.) The directors had dis-
tinctly stated to him that they intended to throw open
to the public only the beautiful and extensive park, gar-
dens, and conservatory, but to keep closed those portions
of the building which were devoted to machinery, manu-
factures, and commerce, which would require the atten-
dance of exhibitors. The hours at which the grounds would
be opened, would be such as not to interfere with the at-
tendance of the population of London at Divine service
in the morning ; return tickets would be issued to carry
the visitors straight back to London, without accumu-
lating in the neighbourhood, and it was intended that in
the precincts of the building no spirituous liquors should
be sold. It was a question at present under the consi-
deration of the proper law officers, whether a certain
statute, passed for a very different purpose, might not be
so construed as to prevent the Crystal Palace being
opened on Sunday ; and if such should turn out tobe the
case, no clause inserted in the charter could make it
legal—the consent of Parliament alone could do it.
After a few words from the Marquis of CLANRI-
CARDE, who condemned the whole law of partnership
in this country,
Lord CAMPBELL had heard the statement of the
noble earl with satisfaction, and he hoped it would also
satisfy a great majority of the people. He was no
friend to the Crystal Palace remaining in Hyde-park, but
transferred to Norwood, he was its firm friend—(hear
and laughter)—and he thought it m ould not only be con-
ducive to the amusement of the people, but to morality
and religion. The. opening of such a place would not
desecrate the Sabbath, but prevent a great deal of de-
bauchery and immorality. There was an act of Parlia-
ment in force which prohibited the taking of money for
admission to any place of amusement on Sunday, but he
trusted Parliament would remove that difficulty. (Hear.)

THE MEETING OF CONVOCATION.
The Earl of SHAFTESBUICY wished to put a ques-
tion to the noble earl with regard to the sitting and pro-
ceedings of convocation, which had justly been regarded
with some alarm. He wished to know what the inten-

tions of the Government were with respect to convoca-
tion. It was, he believed, adjourned to the 16th of
February, and he wished to know whether it would be
allowed to meet again ; and whether, during the interval,
the committee appointed by convocation would be
allowed to sit ?
The Earl of DERBY—As far as her Majesty's Go-
vernment is concerned, there is no intention to make any
deviation from that which has ordinarily been the cus-
tomary practice for many years as to convocation ; nor
do I understand that there has been, except in one par-
ticular, any deviation from the ordinary practice.
Although the meeting of convocation this year has been
accompanied by considerable excitement, and has led to
much discussion, yet the proceedings of convocation have
gone no further this year than on all preceding occasions
—that is, the body meeting together for the purpose of
voting an address to the crown at the commencement of
the session. It is true that there was a discussion on
the address to the crown, previous to which it is not
courteous or proper that any authority should be ezer-
cised over convocation—it is true, I say, that there was
'a discussion, and that it lasted nearly three days, but
this is not the first occasion on which the meeting of
convocation has led to a discussion, r,nd on which an
amendment has been proposed and discussed. In 1847
the dissuasion lasted the whole of one day; and an
amendment; was L oved praying the Crown to re-establish
• the active pc zers of convocation. The power of pro-
roguing convocation rests with the Crown in the last
resort, but I believe there is no instance of that power
having been exercised by the Crown for many years—it
has always been exercised by the archbishop, either by
his own authority, or commit fratt um. The noble earl
is wrong in speaking of proroguing, for I understand the
usual course pursued is not to prorogue, but to adjouin :
the address having been voted, the, convocation is ad-
journed by the archbishop to a period not very distant
from the next meeting of Parliament after the recess. I
understand there is nothing unusual in the prorogation
to a distant day for the purpose of receiving the answer
to the address from the Crown, as it is not usual to receive
the answer, as in the cases of the houses of Parliament,
immee'ataly on the address being preseated. I have not
had an opportunity since my noble friend gave me notice
of his question, of communicating with his grace
the Archbishop of Canterbury, but I have no reason
to suppose that convocation will meet again, and
that his grace will depart from tie practice which has
hitherto universally prevailed ; nor do I apprehend
that he will do more than lay before convocation the
answer to the address, and then, in the usual form,
prorogue. Ido not anticipate that the archbishop will
depart from the usual coune, and therefore I think that
the intervention of the Crown will rot be necessary but
this I have no hesitation in saying, that the Ministers of
the Crown have no intention to advise her Majesty to
depart from the ordinary course, and sanction the revival
of the active powers of convocation. (Hear, hear.) As
to the cemmitee to which my noble friend has referred,
officially I know nothing of it. I only know that con-
vocation was prorogued, and the lower house appointed
a committee to investigate certain errors. It is a ques-
tion of law upon which I do not like to pronounce an
opinion ; but I confess that I do not understand how a
body prorogued can have any official power in any com-
mittee to act during such p_ 3- ogation. (Hear, hear,)
My own opinion is that the power of that committee is
null and void ; and undoubtedly, on the other hand,
there is no power on the part of the Crown, or any other
body, to prevent gentlemen meeting as a private body
and considering whatever matters they choose ; but I
repeat that I believe the body prorogued have no power
to constitute a committee.
Lord LYTTLETON made some observations which
were totally inaudible in the gallery.
MINISTERIAL MEASURES.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said, that in
making the inquiry of which he had given notice, he did
not wish to urge anything which would create debate,
or be inconvenient to Government ; but he thought it
would be for the advantage of public business, and the
private convenience of their lordships, that they should
know what business was likely to be brought forward
before the recess, and during the remainder of the session.
He thought the meeting of Parliament before Christmas
did but little to lighten the business, or to shorten the
duration of the spring and summer session—his own ex-
perience, in fact, led to the contrary opinion. They were
assembled at this period in order that the great principle
of the commercial policy of the country should be
brought to a full, and he hoped a final, and satisfactory
result. However, the session being opened, it was ma-
i doubtedly the duty of the Government to frame a speech
from the Throne which should apply to the whole busi-
ness of the session, and they had an intimation of a
variety of measures thrown out to them, but they knew
not at what time they
were likely to be broughtanbyef,ohree
Parliament, or their character. He need not enumerate
the topics, but he hoped the noble earl would have no ob-
jection to tell their lordships what measures, if
intended to introduce before Christmas. He thought it
wise of the house to avoid any discussion as to protection
on the first day of the session, when their minds were
overwhelmed with sorrow in the prospect of the
mournful duty which devolved upon them. He had under-
stood the noble earl then to propose that all discussion
should be postponed until after the 26th instant, when
the Chancellor of the Exchequer was to make a general
statement of his financial policy. Since that time he
had seen that the Government had announced an inten-
tion, in the other house of Parliament, of proposing a
resolution embodying their views on the subject of
the commercial policy of this country. He knew not
whether by a resolution, or by what mode, the noble
earl meant to bring that matter under their lordships'
consideration, but he had no doubt he would not object
to state what he intended to propose on this subject be-
fore Christmas, because it was notorious that they had
met to consider what was to be the great basis of our
commercial policy, and it must be in the contemplation
of the noble earl to take the sense of that as well as the
other house of Parliament previous to the recess. The
sentence in which her Majesty alluded to the subject
also referred to the discovery,of gold, but the quesion
of free trade rested on a great principle, which was not
to be affectetrby the accidental discovery of gold in one
part of the world or another, Or a sudden impulse of
emigration in one year more than another---(hear, hear)
it must be settled finally and firmly upon a steady and
sound theory. (Hear, hear.)
The Earl of DERBY—The question put to me is one
of considerable importance, and I shall endeavour to
give my answer as briefly as I can ; but in replying to a

question as to the intentions of the Government—which
I have not the slightest difficulty in doing—l must call
attention to the circumstances under which her Ma-
jesty's Government accepted office, and I need not re-
mind your lordships of the understanding upon which
the business of the session of the last Parliament was
conducted, when we thought it right to refuse all appli-
cations for an immediate appeal to the country, so as
not to interrupt the business of the session, and pro-
mised that at the earliest possible period consistent
with public business reference should be made to the
canary at large. That reference to the country will
aad must undoubtedly and immediately decide
whether her Majesty's G overnment do or do not en-
joy that amount of confidence on the part of the
country and Parliament which will enable them satis-
fietorily to administer the affairs of the nation. There
i i one important question on which such reference was
made, namely, on what principles of commercial and
fiscal legislation the interests of the country should be
managed. (Hear, hear.) That question has, been a
matter of controversy for many years. All parties agreed
in this, that at the earliest possible moment, this ques-
tion should be finally decided, and upon this question,
without disguising his own opinions, or the opinions. of
t lose who acted with him, he declared in the last session
o' Parliament that he should be guided by the sense of
the community at large, as expressed by the returns
which they made to Parliament, and that he should not
b ing forward any measure in accordance with his own
views, if he found he was not supported by a large ma-
jority in the country and in Parliament. And therefore,
whilst he resisted the frequent appeals made to him to
dissolve Parliament, he gave a pledge that the new Par-
liament would be called together before Christmas, with
the view of deciding on what was to be the future finan-
cial and commercial policy of the country ; and accord-
ingly, in pursuance of that pledge, her Majesty's Govern-
ment advised that Parliament should be summoned early
in November for that purpose. He had also given an-
other pledge—namely, that Parliament should be called
together for the purpose of ascertaining its views as to a
particular policy, in order that the ordinary business of
the session might not be interfered with. It was always
unpleasant and mortifying to any one to be obliged to
confess that his opinions were not shared by the great
body of his fellow-countrymen ' • but he would not hesi-
tate to say now, as he had not hesitated to say before,
that the result of the general election was such as to con-
vince him that a very large number of the constituen-
cies, and of the members returned by them, though de-
sirous upon all other measures to give their support
to her Majesty's Government, were determined not i
to assent to any alteration of the existing commercial
system ; and therefore he did not hesitate to advise I
her Majesty, in the speech from the Throne, in terms
as explicit as it would be advisable and proper to put
into a speech to be spoken by the Sovereign, that the
principle of unrestricted competition was one to which
the wisdom of Parliament decided that the country
should be subjected. (Hear, hear.) If there was any
ambiguity in the speech of her Majesty it ought to have
been removed by the declarations made by himself in
that house, and by the leader of the House of Commons
in the other house—namely, that whatever they might
have thought the more desirable for the country, they
were ready and willing as frankly and nnirervedly to
act upon that principle of commercial policy, as if they
had been the original authors and advisers of it. (Hear,
hear.) Ile doubted if any language could have been
more explicit, or whether it were possible to give more
satisfactory assurances to those who were apprehensive
of any alteration or tampering with that system. He
went still further; for they resolved not to postpone the
ordinary financial statement to the usual time; but, al-
though impressed with a full sense of the disadvantages
arising from imperfect calculations, determined at once
to lay before Parliament and the country the full details
of those financial and commercial measures which they
were prepared to recommend for adoption, and by which
Parliament would be able to judge of the sincerity of
the intentions of the Government and the policy it pro-
posed to pursue. He was rather surprised at the noble
marquis saying that the Government gave notice of a,
specific resolution affirmative of their principles. That
was a candid or correct statement. Her Majesty's Go-
vernment gave no push notice. Her Majesty's Govern-
ment were perfectly satisfied to rest quiet till the 26th,
when facts and not words would show the truth and
sincerity of the course they intended to pur-
sue. (Hear, hear.) But another gentleman opposed
to her Majesty's, Government, did think it right to
anticipate the Government—did think that the com-
mercial and financial policy of the country could be more
satisfactorily dismissed, previous to the financial state-
ment of the Government, by giving notice of an abstract
principle which he intended to submit to Parliament.
So far from the Government having given any notice of
a specific motion, as the noble marquis seemed to think,
they appealed to the hon. gentlemen in the other house,
not that he should withdraw his motion, but that he
would postpone it till the house was put in possession of
the intended measures of the Government. Now with
regard to that resolution it was couched in terms which
made it impossible for the Government, or for those who
supported the Government, to accept it, for it did not
confine itself to a declaration of the policy to be pursued
in future, but contained reflections on the Government,
and expressed opinions with which the framer of the re-
solution must have known that the Government could
not agree. After the declarations of the Government in
both houses of Parliament, he did not think there was
any necessity for a specific resolution or the subject.
But, granted there was, if the hon. gentleman had at
heart the real interest of the country, and the promotion
of the principles he advocated, he should have so framed
his resolution that it would not lead to any unnecessary
division, and would concilitate to its affirmation the
greatest possible majority, if not the whole, of the House
of Commons. (Hear, hear.) But the resolution was
couched in language which made it impossible for the
Government or their supporters to assent to it with
honour or with credit. The resolution did not go fur-
ther than the affirmation of a principle, and for the
affirmation of a principle it was unnecessary. He
did not know what other views might be in the contem-
plation of those by whom that motion was framed. If
the object was to overthrow the Government before they
had an opportunity of developing or explaining their
policy, he hoped the hon. gentleman who was going
to move that motion, and the various sections into which
the Opposition in the House of Commons was divided,
had well considered the full amount of responsibility
they took on themselves—(hear, hear)—that they had
not merely considered how they could combine the
largest force for the purpose of overturning the Govern-
ment, but had considered, in the interest of the country,
if that Government was overthrown, whether they had
the materials, the concert, the unity, which would be
necessary to form another Government and to preserve
the country from the inconvenience of a Ministerial in-
terregnum. (Hear, hear.) It might be that they had
not the intention to frame a Government themselves, or
to overthrow the Government, but that their intention
was to weaken and discredit the Government by forcing
on their acceptance a resolution which was offensive to
them and to their supporters ; if that were their inten-
tion, then he had that confidence in the House of Com-
mons and in the country, that they would not sanction
a proceeding so factious, and which, if successful, must
lead to serious difficulties. (Hear, hear.) If it had
been the intention of the Government to offer any pro-
position for the purpose of reversing the system already
established, due notice of such a proposition would have
been given at the earliest period to both houses of Par-
liament. But, on the contrary, both here and in the
other house, the most distinct intimations were made
that it was not the intention of Government to propose
any measure framed in opposition to the established system
—and that our commercial and financial policy was to be
carried on under that system. (Hear, hear.) With
regard to the question put to him by the noble mar-
quis, although they had thought it rght to renew
the inquiry on the subject of their Indian territories ; al-
though his noble and learned friend on the woolsack had
submitted a clear and masterly exposition of the great
measures of legal reform to be submitted to Parliament
—although the principle of legal reform had been dealt
with by the introduction of bills in the other house, not
for the purpose of immediate discussion, but for the pur-
pose of affording time for their due consideration—al-
though his right hon. and learned friend, the Attorney-
General for Ireland, was probably at that moment en-
gaged in laying before the other house measures of the
utmost importance to the condition of Ireland, it was not
the desire or intention of her Majesty's Government to
introduce at this unusual period of the session, or call
for the decision of Parliament on, measures, except those
strictly necessary for the purpose of giving the most en-
tire fulfilment to the understanding and pledges which
was given by the Government on the subject. Beyond
the laying of those schemes of financial and commercial
policy before the house, to which the Government were
pledged, and by which they would stand or fall, it was
not intended to submit any measure of importance to the
consideration of Parliament, nor was it probable that
their lordships's house would be called on to pronounce
any opinion on any important subject before Christmas.
(Hear.)
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that he was
justified in saying that the Government embodied their
views in the amendment, of which notice had been given
by them in the other house of Parliament, because it was
perfectly competent to them either to have accepted the
motion of the hon. gentleman (Mr. Villiers), or to nega-
tive it, or, to avoid discussion, by moving the previous
question. He thought that if Parliament we question
together for the purpose of discus.sing tbhtetogrbe:
of protection and free trade, that it tsubmitted
to the consideration of this as well
wa.ousbgroaf
etfcheentotthbeerdhroeuasde.
of Parliament, He did not
ful menace of a resignation mbeigechewtunhtaryve,wbeuret he was
determined
that Parliament and t
Pbl jucti ttl Yh
think and
that
that free trade should be cle•ly,neext
perma-
nently adopted. And be could
Par-
liament contained members whowere
quite as experienced
in office as the members of the present Government.
(Hear, hear.)
Lord WODEHOUSE said that, if the conduct of the
mover of the resolution in the House of Commons was to
bo designated as factious, that epithet equally applied to
the conduct of the noble earl (Derby), in reference to
this very question, on which their conduct was so equi-
vocal that the strongest promises must be exacted from
them. To declare, as the noble earl did, that he was
convinced of the soundness of one course of policy, and
that he should carry out another as the Minister of the
country, because there was a majority of the nation and
of Parliament opposed to him, he (Lord Wodehouse)
could not consider to be consistent with his personal
honour. (Hear, hear.) In such a position he (Lord
Wodehouse) would feel it to be his duty either to carry
out what he believed to be the right policy, or he would
resign office. (Rear, hear.) If the noble earl abandoned
protection, his friends in the country believed it WM for

propose.
Lord WODEHOUSE said it was not his intention to
make any observation which might reflect on the per-
sonal honour of the noble earl ; and if anything he had
said bore that construction, he wished to withdraw it.
He hoped the noble earl would consider that withdrawal
satisfactory.
The Earl of DERBY said that, after that very hand-
some statement, he should cease to recollect a single
word of the kind that had been alluded to.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. —YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took tho chair shortly before 4 o'clock.

NEW MEMBERS.

The oath, were administered to several members,
among whom were Mr. Roebuck, Mr. T. O'Brien, and.
Mr. Owen.

PETITIONS.

Sir H. INGLIS presented a petition from Lancashire
against the Maynooth grant, and against the interference
of the Roman Catholic priests at elections.
Lord D. STUART presented three petitions from the
metropolis, praying for the interference of the house to
obtain the liberation of Edward Murray, who had been
sentenced to imprisonment in the galleys for life by the
Papal authorities at Rome.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition from
the Australian colonies, praying for the cessation of
transportation to Van Diemen's Land,
Mr. COWAN presented two petitions from Edin-
burgh, one praying for a more liberal system of national
education in Scotland, and the other praying that steps
be taken by the house to obtain the liberation of Andrew
Murray.

CASE OF MR. PAGET.
In reply to a question put by Mr. M. MILNES, to
the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs respecting the
seizure and inspection of the private papers of Mr.
Paget, an English subject resident at Dresden, not by
the Saxon Government, but by the Austrian police act-
ing in Saxony.
Lord STANLEY said it was true that Mr. Paget, a
British subject, who had been for two years resident in
Brussels, had his house entered by the police,
and his papers seized, but it appeared from the informa-
tion in possession of the Government, that they were
seized by the police of the country, and not by
those belonging to Austria. The British Minister,
Mr. Forbes, addressed a remonstrance to the authori-
ties, and the result was the return of Mr. Paget's papers,
and an intimation that the police who had taken upon
themselves the seizure in question had received a severe
reprimand.
Mr- SPOONER gave notice, that immediately after
the Christmas recess he would move that the house re-
, solve itself into a committee of the whole house, to con-
sider the Act of the Bth and 9th Vic. chap. 25, commonly
called "the last Maynooth Act"—(laughter)--with a
view to the repeal of those clauses which provided mo-
ney grants in any way to the same college. (Laughter.)