The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-09 00:00:00

SOOCHOW.

Col. SYKES gave notice that on the 16th he would call I
the attention of the house to the proceedings at Shanghai,
when all the consuls resident expressed their abhorrence
of the conduct of the Fatai at Soochow, and to ask the
First Lord of the Treasury as to what course would be pur-
I in order to prevent a recurrence of the events which
were so much to be deplored.
PARISH VESTRIES (IRELAND).
Sir R. PEEL gave notice that he would move for leave
to introduce a bill to ;Amend the law relating to parishes and
vestries in Lrelan,l,
WAREHOUSING SPIRITS.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave
notice that he would postpone bringing forward this subject
rom Thursday until Monday, the 15th.
LAW OF SETTLEMENT.
Mr; WARNER gave notice that on Friday next he
wou'id call the attention of the house to the Law of_Settle-
we at as it affected the poor.
NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Mr, BRAND, a new writ was ordered
to issue for the election of a member for Brighton, in the
room of Mr. Coningham, who has accepted the Chiltern
Hundreds.
COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX.

Mr. WARSER asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
whether he was aware that it had been found necessary in
some cases to resort to a voluntary rate in order to provide
for the collection of the income tax by parochial officers ;
and whether he would consider the propriety of adopting a
v•Tular system ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he was aware there was a necessity for amendment in the
c n",action of the income tax, and the subject was under the
cJasideration of Government.
CHINA.

Mr. W, E. FOSTER asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs whether it was true that the town of
Soochow in China had been taken from the Taepings by
help of her Majesty's officers employed by the Imperialists
with the sanction of her Majesty's Government; whether
also the Imperialists were aided by supplies from her Ma-
jesty's arsenals, and whether the town thus taken was de-
livered over to pillage and massacre by the Imperialist
troops notwithstanding the protest, and contrary to the
pledge of the British officer in command ; and if so, whether
any and what steps had been taken by her Majesty's Go-
velnmcmt to 'withdraw their assistalice to the Pekin Go-
ernment.

Mr. LAYARD said tb:At the Government was not at
present in possession of, the necessary information on the
subject, but he was informed from Shanghai that colonel
Brow n was about to investigate the subject,

SOOCHOW,
Lord NAAS asked the tinder-Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs whether any despatches had been received
during the recess from Sir Frederick Bruce relative to the
state of affairs in China ; and whether the Government have
received any official accounts of the proceedings of the
Chinese force under the command of Major Gordon of the
Royal Engineers; and, if so, whether he would lay them
upon the table of the house ; also, whether he
would lay upon tha table all the documents
in possession of the Government relative to the dis-

raissal of Mr. Lay from the service of the Emperor of China
and the withdrawal from the Chinese waters of the fleet
under the command of Captain Sherarti Osborne, of
tin Royal Navy.

Mr. LAYARD said the papers in question would be laid
on the taVe, and at present he was unable to gave the in,
formatfrm required respecting Mr. Lay.
SCHLE S WIG-HOLSTEIN.

In reply to Lord R. CECIL,
Lord PALMERSTON said the Government had re-
monstrated with the Governments of Prussia and Austria with
respect to the pt oceedings adopted relative to Prince Augus-
tenburg, on the ground that those proceedings were totally
inconsistent with the treaty of 18.52, to which both these
-.?owers wen parties. The Prussian Government had
stated their intention to abide by that treaty and
maintain the integrity of the Danish Moaarchy. It was
announced also that tha Prussian and Austrian Govern-
rumts were ready to discuss, any questions that
might arise with the other powers that were
pat ti, ato the treaty. It was asserted that the resistance
apt Schleswig and the, hostilities that ensued terminated the
obligations of thP'.. treaty. He utterly denied that doctrine.
(;sear, hear.) If it were adopted, a strong power would have
nothing to do but to make an unprovoked assault on a
Power and eay that their own act had put an end to any
treaty, He repeated what he had already said, that the
Prussia.n Government avowed their intention to maintain
the integrity of the Danish kingdom. (Hear, hear.)
THE LORDS COIAMISSIONERS' SPEECH.

On the motion for the adoption of that portion of the

;Speech which relates to the estimates,
Mr. BE,NIINCK expressed a hope that the military
for:xs of this country, and more particularly the cavalry,
'would be maintained in a state of efficiency. He expressed
hope also that the Government would give the house an

assurance that this country would not be drawn into war.
Lord PALMEB,SION said he thought the subject of
rho efficiency of our troops should have been postponed
until the army estimates were brought forward. He had
too much confidence in the spirit and resources of the
country that it would not be prepared for any emergency
that might arise. With regard to the other portion of the
honourable member's observations, he must decline giving
any information as to what course Government would pursue
under some future state of circumstances, and he declined
to play the part of prophet. (Laughter.) If it were neces-
sary to make an armed demonstration the country poe.
uessed strength and energy sufficient for, the occasion.
(Hear, hear.).

The motion was then agree_,'' to.
SIR J. LA-7/tENCE'S ANNUITY.

Oa the tootior
... of Sir C. Wool), the resolution of com-
mittee that the pension to Sir J. Lawrence should be con-
tinue, which was seconded by Lord STANLEY, and sup-
rated by Colonel SYKES, was agreed to.