The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-11 00:00:00

THE SLAVE TRADE IN AMERICA.

Mr. CONINGHAM asked the First Lord of the
Treasury, whether the efforts which had been made
hitherto by the British nation, for the suppression of the
African slave trade, might not with advantage be extended
to the cor.tinent of America, and whether the time had not
at length arrived when it became the duty of her Majesty's
Government to enter into friendly negotiations with the
Federal Government of the United States, for the purpose
of concerting measures for the gradual but total suppres-
sion of the slave trade in the Confederate States.
Lord PALMERSTON replied that the hon. member was,
no doubt, aware that the Federal Government had entered
into a treaty with her Majesty's Government, giving both
equal right of search for the purpose of suppressing the
slave trade under the protection of the Federal flag. The
Confederate States had passed a law which made the slave
trade penal; but they had no relations to the Federal States
except one of war. Perhaps in the course of a few months
circumstances might permit the entering into such nego-
tiations as those indicated by the hon. member. (Hear.)
As her Majesty's Government could not yet acknowledge
the independence of the Southern States, no diplomatic
communication could take place. In the course
of time, should things alter—should the Confederate
States succeed in establishing their independence,
Government could only hope that the Confederate States
would enter into an arrangement similar to the one entered
into by the Federal Government. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CONINGHAM, adverting to the latter part of his
motion, asked if communication could not be entered into
with the Federal Government with a view to the suppres-
sion of the traffic.

Lord PALMERSTON replied that he considered he had
replied to that part of the question. (Hear, hear.) The
Federal Government had no relation with the South except
one of war, and, therefore, could enter into no negociations
with them of the ordinary nature.

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS REFRESHMENT
ROOM.
man of the Kitchen and Refreshment Rooms
Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked Colonel French,Ctohmemehitateire:
to the next
the state of the refreshment rooms, with a view
what steps they were about to take to
Session of Parliament. (Hear, hear.)
Col. FRENCH replied that
detective.(clear, hear.) r.
improve
it to the Chief
plan and submitted
of the rooms,
sent afforded was exceedingly
Barry had furnished a
improvement
Commissioner of Works for theti,
0 0 and the committee had
the accommodation at pre-
sent
would cost about £4n,
erhenuasbesowluotuellyd
necessar. (Hear,
hear.)
of the Exchequer the propriety
upon the Chance
reported that its adoption
indispensable improvements
press
te to meet the
of proposing avo a
~ a Hde execution were
LABOUR OF CHILDREN.
s OF
THE
Hout‘.o
asked the Secretary of State for the
pointed out. (He r 1
Mr. FERRAN
Home
n to limit the hours of labour for children
Department whether he intended to bring in a
bill this s
GREY replied in the negativa,
employed iensßp_lo°tteries and paper tube factories ?
Sir G. Glt He had, however,
directed the recent report of the Children's Employment
Commission to be laid on the table. He had not received
any special report with respect to children employed in
paper tube factories.
SMALL PDX PATIENTS IN PUBLIC CONVEY.
AN CES.
Sir A. AGNE W asked the Attorney-General whether
officials of railway and steamboat companies might lawfully
remove from carriages or vessels under their supervision
persons who were obviously labouring under small-pox;
and, whether individuals thus wilfully travelling from place
to place at the risk of spreading so dreadful a scourge
through a whole community, were subject to any penalty
on conviction before a magistrate ?
The ATTORNEY-UENERAL said these were not
questions that could be conveniently put to the law officers
of the Crown. However, he would give the best reply in
his power. At common law it did not appear to him that the
officials inaicated could remove passengers so afflicted.
Thera was no act of Parliament on the subject. The second
question he answered in the negative—magiArates had no
such power. (Hear, hear.)
THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT.

in nreply to Mr. t LAY,
Mr. LAYARD said that the facts recited were perfectly
true. The Commissioners had refused to acknowledge the
principle of the former claims that had been settled. Re-
presentations bad been made to the Argentine Govern-
ment to the effect that the course the Commissioners were

adopting were contrary to national usage, and he trust
therefore that the sittines would he suspeLded.
BRITISH CaLUMBIA.

In reply to Mr. FITZWILLIA3I7
Mr. FORTESCUE said that the Secretary of State for
the Colonies shortly intended to introduce a bill into th,.
other house with respect to the two colonies, when he
would enter upon a statement with respect to them.
THE RECENT FIRE IN THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS.

In reply to Mr. HUNT,
Mr. COOPER explained that the fire in one of the cor-
ridors arose from a deposit for years of soot in consequence
of some bricks having been left out by mistake for one of
the iron arches of the roof and not subsequently filled up
as it should have been. The flue from which the deposit
had been made, end which became ignited, was in connec-
tion with the kitchen. He had given directions to have
all the flues carefully examined. The nearest stand cock
reported all right three montds ago, was four:d
too stiff to work. The next one which was in good order
was quickly rendered available, and the defective one in
about two minutes after the discovery. These cocks, of
which there were 37, communicate with a tank containing
12,C00 gallons of water. There was a constant attendance
of police, whose duty it was to visit every part of the house
every half hour. Means had been taken to prevent the
possibility
RofoanyyAsLimpilAarToßcciuorrie,nicce
Ainstyht furnsiuri.e.

In reply to a question from Mr. W. FORSTER,
Sir J. PAKINGTON entered into a lenghty statement,
and admitted the assumptions in the question. Sceps had
been taken to replace the number of ladies who had retired.
He wished to state that the wives of the officers referred to
were completely independent. (Laughter,)