The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-15 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLT AWENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening.
Tho LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at

five o'clock.

THE lONIAN ISLANDS,

Lord STRATFORD DE REDCIAFFE gave notice
that un Tuesday next he should call attention to the cession
of the lonian Islands.

JAPAN.

Earl GREY stated that since it had been stated that Mr.
Moss had deliberately shot a policeman in the territories of
Japan, he (Earl Grey) had received a letter from that
gentleman, who denied the statement, and said he was at-
tacked by an armed party in a most unwarrantable manner,
and in defending himself he shot a police officer.
Earl RUSSELL understood that the reason the state-
ment was made was because Sir Rutherford Alcock had
been stated to be too favourable to the Japanese.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Ely Valley Extension Railway Bill and the Brecon
Junction Railway Bill were read a third time and passed.
SAVINGS BANKS BILL (AMENDMENT).
This bill was read a second time,
PRISON MINISTERS BILL.

The Common,' aninudiaents to the Lords' amendments
to this bill were then taken into consideration. The result
was, their lordships adhered to their original amendments,
but some additional words were added to their first amend-
ments.

THE SHEEP AND CATTLE (SCOTLAND) BILL,
This bill was read a third time and passed.
STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
REMOVAL OF IRISH POOR BILL.

This bill passed through committee, and was reported
with amendments.

GROWING CROPS SEIZURE (IRELAND) BILL.
Earl ST. GERMANS moved the second reading of this
bill, the object of which was to place the growing crops
beyond the reach of creditors unless the debt was above
'2O, thus putting ordinary creditors on the same footing as
the landlords.
The Earl of DONOUGHMORE and the Earl of HAIIDWICKE
both gave notice that in committee they would move cer-
tain amendments.
The bill was then read a second time.

CLERGYMEN (COLONIES) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
DRAINAGE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LANDS

(IRELAND) BILL.
The amendments to this bill were reported.
MARRIAGES REGISTRATION (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill passed through committee and was ordered to be
reported.
Sir Robert Hitcham's Charity Bill, the Ruthin Charities
Bill, and the Police and Improvement (Scotland—Provi-
sional Order) Bill were each read a third time and passed.
The Colonial Acts Confirmation Bill was read a second
time, and ordered to be committed.
FIRING ON A SHIP IN BRITISH WATERS.
The Earl of AIRLIE asked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs whether he had received any official report
of the attack which was alleged to have been made by a ship
of war of the United States on the ship Margaret and Jessie
in British waters. His lordship drew attention to the ac-
count of the attack upon the Margaret and Jessie which
appeared a short time ago in the public newspapers, and
which appeared to have been written by a person who was
on board. According to that statement, the vessel was
fired at when she was not more than 400 nor less than 100
yards from the land. She was sunk by the shot of an Ame-
rican man-of-war, the name of which was given as the Sa-
vannah, but which was subsequently found to be the Rhode
Island. He was aware that it was alleged that the captain
of the Rhode Island had asserted that he was not nearer
than four miles to the shore at any time during the firing.
But he presumed the case would be properly examined and
the evidence compared. He should also ask a question of
which he had not given notice—namely, whether it was
true that the American officers in charge of the blockading
squadron off Charleston Harbour had iss•ted orders to the
captains of vessels not to take any prizes, but to sink all i
blockade-runners.

Earl RUSSELL said that the noble earl had stated
correctly the story of the Margaret and Jessie as it had
been received by public report. The Secretary cf State in
Washington had assured the master of the vessel, upon
his arrival in New York, that if the case should prove to be
as he represented it, full reparation should be made ; but he
at the same time stated that the captain of the Rhode Island
gave a very different statement of the affair. The whole
matter would be inquired into. As to the statement which
appeared in the newspapers of the directions given to the
captains of vessels at Charleston, he should disregard it as
inaccurate until he saw it officially confirmed.