The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-07 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 6.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool-
sack at Fin o'clock.

THE CAPE.
The Earl of MALMES BURY inquired of the Noble
Lord at the head of the Colonial Department whether
he could take any means in this country to prevent gun-
powder being exported to the Cape for the purpose of
being sold to our enemies in that colony.
Earl GREY said he was aware that before the war
broke out very great quantities of gunpowder had been
exported to that colony, but he also knew that there
was no law existing here to prevent it being so ex-
ported. Hearing in September last that the exportation
continued, ho sent a dispatch to the Governor, re-
questing him to take measures to prevent the powder
being so used, as it would fall into the hands of the
enemy. Steps had been taken to effect that purpose,
which would to a great extent stop the supply of
gunpowder to the enemy, but he regretted to
say that these precautions were adopted too late, as
many tons of gunpowder had got to the enemy some
months previously.. It was impossible altogether to pre-
vent powder being imported into the colony, as it was
very much consumed by farmers and others who required
it to shoot wild beasts with. The Kafirs frequently ob-
tained it from them by means of coercion and otherwise.
The Earl of MALMESBURY said it appeared to him
that if the sale of gunpowder at the Cape was placed
under this restriction, that licenses would have to be
procured from the Government by persons to whom it
was necessary for self-defence, either against the Kafirs
or wild beasts, we should have some guarantee against
the enemy obtaining it. The Noble Earl had forgot-
ten that his question applied to arms as well as to gun-
powder.
Earl GREY said there was no fault to find with the
ordinance cf the Legislative Council, except that it
ought to have been passed in the month of February in-
stead of November. The instructions he had given ex-
tended to the prevention of the trade in arms as well as
gunpowder intended for the enemy. He had seen in the
newspapers a report of certain shipments of arms from
this country; but he had no reason to believe that they
were intended for the Cape.
The Earl of HARD WICKE was understood to make
an inquiry about the use of arms by the population at
the Cape; to which
Earl GREY replied that he thought in that country it
was the fashion for almost everybody to carry arms.
RECALL OF SIR HARRY SMITH.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY referred to the
statement made by the Duke of Wellington in regard
to Sir Harry Smitb, and said he entirely concurled in
the high eulogium which the Noble Duke had made
upon him; he had obeyed his instructions to the very
letter, and had evinced those distinguished military quali-
ties which had made his name reno vned. He, therefore,
doubted the policy and justice of his dismissal from the
Governor-Generalship at the Cape. He would ask the
Noble: Earl (Earl Grey) whether the appointment of
General Cathcart was that of the Horse Guards or of
the Colonial Office?
Earl GREY deprecated any irregular discussion on so
painful a subject. If the Noble Marquis questioned the
course adopted by the Government, ho should bring for-
ward a motion, and take the sense of their Lordships
upon it; and if he did so, he (Earl Grey) would be pre-
pared to defend his conduct. It appeared to him that
on the face of the dispatches now before the House,
Sir Harry Smith ought to be relieved from his office, and
his colleagues in the Government entertained the
same opinion. He therefore thought it his necessary
but painful duty to advise her Majesty to recall him.
As regarded his successor he could assure their Lord-
ships that he did not advise the appointment of a succes-
sor without consulting the highest military authority in
the cotintry. He consulted the Noble Duke (the Duke
of Wellington), who said that if Sir H. Smith were
recalled he did not think any officer could be selected
who was more fit for such a eigh military employment
than. liejor-General Cathcart. That, he hoped, was a
satisfactory answer. He had the highest reepeet
and admiration for the character of Sir 11.
Smith, and never, in the conduct of
public affairs, had he so painful a duty
cat upon him as that of advising her Majesty to recall
him, but he believed in his conscience that the step was
necessary to be taken, and he did no: shrink from re-
commending it.7(Elear.) _