The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVUNING, APRIL 24, 186

inadequate language and the yielding tone of the noble earl
at the head of the Foreign Department was approved of by
Ire Cabinet generally.
Mr. CRAWFO 11D, having been referred to in connec-
tion with the case of the Peter hoff, desired to state that, at
the proper moment and under the proper circumstances,:he
was quite ready to go into explanations on the question;
but he must decline to do so then—(hear)—and for two rea-
sons: in the first place, becaute of the very critical position
in which that transaction had placed the relations of the
two countries; and, secondly, because he had heard the
noble 1, rd at the head of the Government state that evening
that the whole matter was under the consideration of the
Government. t. Knowing that, he would consider it highly
inexpedient and indecorous if he were to enter into a pro-
longed discussion of the case upon that occasion. (Hear,
hear.) But he could not sit down without stating that he
had heard with the greatest distaste—indeed, he might say
disgust—the sentiments expressed that evening by the hon.
and learned member for Sheffield (Mr. Roebuck)—(cheers)
—nor could he, in the second place, admire the taste of the
hon. member for West Norfolk (Mr. Bentinck) in proceed-
ing with his notice after the statement made by the noble
lord at the head of the Government. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. PEACOCKE remarked upon the very undignified
position in which the house found itself through being
dependent for all the information they possessed on this
question on the announcements in the City article of a
newspaper. (Hear, hear.) If it was the pleasure of the
house that he should do so, he was willing to move
for all the papers connected with the subject. He
desired also to know whether the Government were
aware of Mr. Adams having acknowledged the ge-
nuineness of that letter to which reference had been
made ; and whether there was any objection to the produc-
tion of the correspondence between Earl Russell and the
City merchants relative to the conveyance of the mails to
Matamoras. That question was of much more importance
than was generally imagined. Some months ago Mr. Sea-
ward informed the Mexican Minister that, although the
Government of the United States wished to prevent toe ex-
portation of arms from the United States, they neverthe •
less did not wish to deprive Mexico of the arms necessary
to carry on the war against the French, and therefore that,
if the Mexican Government desired to send to England for
them, he would cause every facility to be given for the pur-
pose of enablng them to procure them. Thereupon the
Mexican Government sent over to this country a Mexican
general, accompanied by a merchant who was in the habit
of purchasing arms, with a letter to Mr. Adams requiring
him to afford thoao gentlemen every aesietanco in the pro-
curing of arms for the war which Mexico was carrying on
against France. Wi h these facts in circulation, it was
desirable that Government should allay public irritation by
giving the house all the information on the subject it was
possible for them to do, Ho accordingly moved for copies
of the correspondence that had passed on the subject.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. NE WDEGA rE dissented from the remarks that
had been made by the hon. and learned member for Shet-
field, which he considered calculated to prejudice the in-
terests of this country with the United States. He held
that it was inexpedient, in the highest sense, to taunt
those of our own blood on the other side of the Atlantic
with the misfortune which, it was to be hoped, they
would be able to repair. He was ready to support her
Majesty's Government in vindicating the honour of this
country, but he cautioned the house against being actuated
by feelings of disappointment or of spite.
Mr. LAYARD said he was surprised that such a discus-
sion as that before the house should have arisen upon expres-
sions used in the money article of a morning newspaper. He
was also surprised that the discussion should have been
continued, and still more was he surprised at the speech of
the hon. member for Maldon, and that he should move for
the papers which the Government had still under discus-
sion. He could give no further answer than that given by
the noble lord at the head of the Government, but there
were two questions upon which he wished to make a few
remarks. The hon. member for West Norfolk had stated
that the deputation to the noble lord at the head of the
Foreign-office had made a proposal which was of a humi-
liating character.
Mr. BENTINCK —I said the proposal was one which in-
volved an insult to this country.
Mr. LAYARD—The word was humiliating. But whether
it was humiliating or insulting to the noble lord it would
be so to this country. (Hear, hear.) It was the same
thing, and no man who knew the noble lord would believe
that he would bear patiently with language or conduct
which was of a humiliating or insulting character. (Oh,
oh, and hear, hear.) But in truth no proposal of a
humiliating or insulting character was made to the noble
lord. The deputation proposed to the noble lord that a
Post-office agent should be placed un board the Sea Queen,
and he said the matter should be inquired into. The depu-
tation stated that if the owner of the vessel should decline
to take a mail bag he would be subject to a penalty, and if
he took a mail bag the vessel would be liable to forfeiture
if letters found on board by an American cruiser should be
considered by a prize court to be of a treasonable nature.
But the fact was the gentlemen who formed the deputation
had not fairly stated what really toek place, and they ought
to have done so. He would place the public in possession
of the facts, and point out the misrepresentation which had
been made. The hon. gentleman then read a copy of a let-
ter addressed to the Post-office, in which Earl Russelt stated
that a deputation bad wated upon him at the Foreign-office,
and that they had asked to have an agent on board.
Mr. BAILLIE rose to order, The hon. member could net
lead letters which had not been presented to the house.
The SPEAKER• ruled that the hon. gentlemen was in
order.

Mr. LAYARD continued, and after reading other letters
said, it was considered by the noble lord that the owners of
the .Sea Queen should not be released from the obligation of
carrying a mail bag, " unless with the full concurrence of
the commander." The Government had merely, therefore,
relieved the owners of the ship from the performance of an
unpleasant obligation. He wished to correct an error which
had appeared in the papers that Lord Russell was surprised
that the crew of the Feterhoff had been detained prisoners
in America. Lord Russell did not express that surprise, for
he was perfectly well acquainted with all the facts of the
case before he had the pleasure of receiving the deputation.
It was quite a mistake to suppose that the honour and dig-
nity of the country were not properly maintained by her
Majesty's Government. (Hear.)
Mr. WHITESIDE said the hon. gentleman seemed to be
surprised at everything which had been done or said, ex-
cept at the speech of the noble lord at the head of the Go-
vernment. He (Mr. Whiteside) wanted to know whether it
was unbecoming for the members of that house to seek for
information from the Government on a subject which was
attracting the attention of every member of the community.
He did not ask for information for the purpose of urging the
Government to go to war, but for the purpose of preventing
war. He recollected that on one occasion a celebrated orator
sitting en the other side of the house said, in commenting on
the conduct of Government in reference to the Crimean war,
that that war might have been averted if the Government
had laid certain papers before the House of Commons.
(Hear.) That gentleman was now Under Secretary for
Foreign Affairs. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Whiteside) hoped
and believed that these inquiries would avert war, not pro-
voke war. (Hear, hear) When any question of this kind
arose, it was in his opinion of great importance that mem-
bers of the House of Commons should not be the last to seek
information from the Government.
Sir H. CAIRNS said the hon. gentleman the Under Se-
cretary for Foreign Affairs had thought it right to commu-
nicate certain letters to the house, but he did not know that
he had given them much information, because he recognised
letters which he had seen in the papers some days ago.
(Hear, hear.) He wanted to know whether her Majesty's
Government intended to give colour to the idea that if there
were in a mail bag carried from any British port to a neutral
port a letter which might be considered by a prize court to
deserve the appellation of treasonable—he wanted to know
whether that circumstance would justify the detention,
trial, and perhaps forfeiture of the merchant vessel.
(Cheers.) There was no mistake as to the course which
had been taken. The Under Secretary of State said
merchant vessels were ebliged to carry mail bags ; that
these bags might be searched, and if anything were
found on board of a suspicious character, the vessel
might be detained ; and he further told the house
that on a representation being made to the Foreign
Secretary, the Sea Queen had been relieved of the
obligation imposed by law. Now, let them come
nearer home. Dover was not far from Calais. Could a
merchant ship passing from the former port be overhauled
by an American cruiser, and if letters were found on board
of a treasonable nature could she be detained and a prise
court forfeit her? Ho wanted to know how the merchant
service of this country was to be carried on under such a
state of things. He supposed that all shipowners would
adopt the course of not carrying these mail-bags. He hoped,
however, the public mind would be relieved by the Govern-
ment from the ideas which seemed to prevail. (Hear.)
Mr. MALINS an the Solicitor-General rose together;
bat though there were loud calls for the latter, the former
hon. member persisted in his right to proceed. He said that
the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs had deprecated this
idiscussion, and that the noble lord had assured them this
matter was in safe keeping, and the country in no danger.
He, however, did not think the house ought to be satisfied
with such an answer. He, for one, felt himself humiliated
every
say
morning.
t (Cries of "Oh, oh," and loud laughter.)
He would that in common with Englishmen in
general
he felt humiliated by seeing that the commerce of this
country was being carried on by the sufferance of a foreign
Power. (Hear.) Merchant vessels were bound by law to
carry mail bags, and they had heard that the Post-office had
relieved one vessel from the performance of the obligation.
But he wanted to know why the Government did not enforce
the law. This was a subject which could not be deferred. The
country would not allow it to be postponed,and he thought the
Government were bound to give an answer. Was the Govern-
ment of this country prepared to submit to the dictation of
the Government of the United States, or of any otherGovern-
meat, that we should carry on our commerce as that Go-
vernment might think fit ? (Hear, hear.) He believed her
Majesty's Government had succumbed in a most disgraceful
manner. (Oh,
andr epa hear,re,l
to hear.) 0
nce
ought to boeh:
carry on her commerce without dictation and without fear
or apprehension from any part of the world. The Govern-
mentgmhtutsot
be obeyed, instead of relieving carrying mail
owners from
This
that country
the l aowu

bags, The law, in his opinion, ought to be enforced, and
onr commerce protected by the Government of the eountry.
(Hear, hear.)
The SOL ICITOR• GENERAL said he would not wish
to add one word to this discussion but for the misapprehen-
sion of his hon. and learned friend the member for Belfast,
whom he did not expect to hear drew from the correspond-
ence which had been referred to by his hon. friend near him
an inference so entirely erroneous as that her Majesty's Go•
vernment were prepared to admit that the United States
Government were justified in capturing vessels upon the
ground that the mail bags might contain letttrs of a hostile
character. He would not refrain from stating that such a doc-
trine was not held by her Majesty's Government, and they
would not submit to it for a single moment. But until the
evidence was completed on both sides it would be moat un-
wise to enter into a discussion of the subject. He would
remind the house that they had had before them upon more
than one occasion a statement of the views of her Majesty's
Government, the principles which might be involved
when questions arose, and those tpon which they would
be prepared to act. (Hear, hear.) Oa the 28th of
November last year, Lord Russell, writing to Lord Lyons,
placed on record the minutes of a conversation which his
noble friend at the head of the Government had with Mr.
Adams, and in which his noble friend stated that,
her Majesty's Government could net permit any interference
with any British or foreign vessels in British waters ; but

that in the open sea he did not mean to dispute the bellige-
rent rights of the United States ; adding, however, that the
decision on the exercise of those rights must in each case be
dealt with according to the special circumstances of that case
His noble friend added that it was not necessary further to
discuss a case which was not in pont, but that it would no
do for the ships of the United States to harass British com-
merce on the high seas under the pretence of preventing the
Confederates getting contraband of war. That was what
was stated in November last, and the house would remem-
ber that in the case of the Aguilar, and subsequently of the
Peterhoff, when the officers of the Ut ited S ates justified
themselves in detaining those vessels, not after an exercise
of the right of search, but on informalon which had been
received from this country, no time was lost in sating that
such conduct was an abuse of be ligerent rights. Mr. Sew trd
did not vinaicate it, but immediately issued instructions
which, if they had been obeyed, would have been an answer
to the complAnts which were now made. His instructions
were that no vessel should be seized until preview search
had proved her to contain contraband of war, or that she
was about to violate the blockade. Nr. Seward ordered that
if it could be proved that the vessel was proceeding from
one neutral port to another, and not to a p rt in the hands
of the insurgents, there could be no lawful seizure. The

house would see, then, that there was no controversy, as
the American Govert went did not claim the r ght to seize
our vessels. If their officers had since done so, it was to
be presumed that the Government would not uphold such
conduct. Then as regarded the mails, certain British mer•
chants engaged in the trade with Mexico, which was in the
line of the contraband trade, although in itself perfectly
innocent, stated their apprehension that their vessels u ou'd
be exposed to Belay and c.pture, under the pretext that
treasonable matter might be found in their letter bags. The
noble lord the Foreign Secretary, without pretending that
the presence of such matter would be sufficient to justify
capture, said that there might be inconvenience or loss to in-
dividuals from the mere circumstance of being put in such a
situation, and that he thought it, therefore, reasonable to
relieve them if they wished from the compulsory obligation
of carry letter bags. It was no part of his present object to
enter into the justification of that course, although it might
be justified on the grounds of consitteration for individuals
whilst it was not against the honour of the country or in
obedience to a principle which his hon. and learned friend
gave him the oppoatunity of disclaiming. He was thankful
to his hon and learned friend for showing that the steps
which had been taken by the Government were opened to
such a construction, and for giving him the opportunity of
declaring that it was unfounded.

Lord R. CECIL said that this was no new case. The
Aguilar was seized in June last, and the Peterhoff three
months since. Complaints were made to the Government
before Easter, and yet, according to the hon. and learned
gentleman, they were not able now to make up their minds.
The case of the Aguilar was still before the prize court,
although the Government had declared the capture unjus-
tifiable, and as yet no reparation had been asked. British
trade was now in fact carried on by the sufferance of the
foreigner, and it had actually come to this, that an extra
premium of insurance was taken now between the two Bri-
tish ports of Liverpool and Nassau, against the chance of
being detained by the American cruisers, and this for no
reason but because Admiral Wilkes chose to practise pira
tical proceedings on the high seas. A good deal had been
said about the Peterhoff, but nothing whatever about the
Dolphin, which was a worse case. That ship was trading
legitimately ; she was captured by an American cruiser,
her crew taken prisoners, her cargo broken up, and her Bri-
tish seamen were turned on shore destitute, in the harbour
of St. Thomas. For that outrage no redress had as yet been
obtained. He believed that this discussion would be useful,
as showing the Government that they must no longer trifle
with the feelings of this country. They were told that the
national honour was safe in the hands of the noble lord at
the head of the Government, but they had had the noble
lord before them in two characters—that of the Lord Pal-
merston of the Russian and Crimean war and of the Greece
and Brazil negotiations, and the Lord Palmerston of the
Conspiracy bill. It was yet to be se'-n in which chat acter
the noble lord would deal with the present complication.
Mr. OSBORNE thought that two more mischievous de-
bates had never taken place in that house than those which
had been just raised by the hon. and learned members for
Sheffield and Wallingford. He (Mr. ()Ammo) thought that
whilst they were treading almost on the living embers of war
they were bound to be more careful of what they said than
at any other time. If they were to go on reviewing Ame-
rican institutions and inflaming the Aroericantnind by offen-
sive observations on cases respecting which they were as yet
imperfectly informed, he could not see how any Govern-
ment could prevent this count
•
rY from being plunged into
war. He (Mr. Osborne) was no degenerate Englishman,
nor was he a member of the peace party, but as an indepen
dent member of that house he thought his best course was
to avoid discussions like the present. They all had c‘infi-
dence in the noble lord at the head of the Government as a
war minister, and therefore it was the less necessary to
magnify this question into one of mischievous proportion.
The motion was then withdrawn.

sliNr CHO.G
TAXOORNBEYNZAed to know how the Chan-
OWED CHARI CIE S.
cellor of the Exchequer meant to raise the question f
LL
im-
posing the income taxon endowed charities. INlany important
institutions were interested, one of which, if assessed, would
have to pay £1,500 a year.
The CH ANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the institution alluded to, if liable to a charge of £1,500 a
year, must have an income of at least £50,000 or £60,000,
and therefore was very well able to take its share in the
burthens of the country. The course he intended to take
was to ask for a general resolution that night which would
be reported on the following day, and the bill with its
clauses would be in the hands of .members on Saturday
morning. The mode of proceeding would then be seen,
and he should be subsequently, in committee, ready to
answer any specific question.
MEMORIAL TO THE PRINCE CONSORT.

The house then went into a committee of supply.
Viscount PALMERSTON—I rise to move the resolu-
tion of which I have given notice, for a grant of £50,000 to
her Majesty towards the expense of erecting a suitable me
merle' to the late Prince Consort. We all recollect the
effect—the stunning effect—produced on the public mind
by the announcement made about a year and a half since
that the country had lost the late Prince Consort. The
event struck a gloom into every household, it inspired with
deep grief the heart of every subject of her Majesty, and
there was no one who did not feel that not only had the na-
tion suffered a great and irreparable loss but that each hadi-
vidual had to mourn one as dear to him as a near friend or
relative. What that loss was to her gracious Majesty I
shall not presume to describe. There are truths which are
only weakened by any attempt to enforce them ; there are
feelii.gs which are t o sacred to permit any attempt to ex.
plain them ; and it would be a sort of sacrilege to attempt
to draw aside the veil behind which those feelings shrunk
from the public gaze. Stilt, it was felt that this was an oc-
caeion on which it was becoming both for the satisfaction 01
national feeling, and as a tribute of respect to the &ore-
reign, that some prominent and substantial memorial should
be erected to commemorate the virtue of the great man
whom we had so suddenly lost. A public subscription was
commenced, and the late Lord Mayor placed himself at the
head of the committee. Contributions poured in from
every part of the country, according to the means of those
who desired to testify their feelings on the subject. It was
fr3m the beginning the intention of her Majesty's Govern-
ment not t.) leave the commemoration of a great national
loss simply and entirely to the result of private subscrip-
tions, as it appeared to them to be fitting that, in addition
to anything which was the result of private impulse, there
should be added something which, coming as a vote of Par-
liament, should be more completely a national tribute to the
memory of the Prince Consort. What should be the amount
had to depend upon two things ; first, what might be the
result of the private subscription ; and secondly, what
might be the probable cost of such memorial as should b
deemed fitting for the occasion. No sooner had the sub-
scription commenced than the committee which undertook
its management made it publicly known that the selection
of the kind and character of the memorial should, as was
fitting, be left to the feeling and judgment of the Queen.
Subsequently various circumstances occurred which diverted
into other channels those means which might otherwise
have flowed into the subscription. The great and magnifi-
cent act of public generosity by which the people of Lanca-
shire were in a great degree supported, took away much
which might otherwise have been subscribed for the memo-
rial, the sum raised for which at last amounted to between
£50,000 and £60,000. With a view of determining what
should be the nature and character of her memorial her
Majesty requested four eminent persons to undertake the
task of inviting plans, and of considering and reporting on
them. These were the Earls of Derby and Clarendon, Sir
Charles Eastlake, and the late Lord Mayor, and these com-
missioners invited a certain number of architects to send in
plans, and the plans when sent in consisted of two parts.
The idea which each architect endeavoured to work out
was to combine a personal memorial on the one side, and

on the other a building devoted to then aria and sciences
in which the late Prince Consort took so deep an interest.
This plait, however, was found to involve an expenditure
larger than the sum raised by subscription, or the sums
which we might fairly ask the house to grant. Therefore,
upon further consideration, the commissioners have reported
that they recommend her Majesty to abandon one portion
of the proposed memorial, which consists of a hall of
science and art, and to confine the memorial to that personal
part which was to form a balance, as it were, to the other.
The site recommended by the commissioners to her Majesty
is that part of Hyde park which l es between the public
road to Kensington and the carriage drive through the park,
and that portion of it which lies opposite to the ground
which belonged to the commissioners of the Exhibition of
1851. The site would be in all respects suitable for the
purpose. It would be in the public view, it would not in-
terfere with any other arrangements, and it would be, by its
vet)? position, well calculated to display anything that
might be placed upon. Now, sir, in regard to the practice
of raising monuments as memorials to great and distin-
guished men, I can only say it is a practice which has pre-
vailed in all countries and in all ages. In this country
there are many examples of such memorials; and it has
often well been said that such memorials answer a double
purpose. They not only satisfy the feelings of those who
are contemporaries of the man who is to be recorded, they
not only gratify the feelings of admiration, love, and affec-
tion of those who raise such memorials, but they stand as
examples to future generations, to stimulate them to emu-
late the virtues and high qualities of the persons in whose
honour they ate raised. Now there was never perhaps a
person who in that double capacity was more fitted to have
his memory recorded than the late Prince Consor t. When
a memorial is erected to some great military or naval com
mantles who has lost his li e in winning a great victory,
conducive to safety and dignity of his country; or when it
is erected to a more fortunate commander who has carried
himself uninjured through a hundret bat lea, and has the
good fortune to finish his days in honourable repose, amidst
a grateful and admiring country—in either case the
example can be followed but by few, because the occasions
which present themselves even in these services to men
to display the great qual ties which render illustrious
the name of such a hero, happen but seldom —they
happen only in times of war, wh ch it is hoped in
any time, and in all countries, will be few. But
the high qualities and virtues displayed by the late Prince
Cons ,rt were virtues that belong to every class of society

'rom the highest to the lowest, and which come into action
and operation every day of a roan's life, and which no man
can say that the posi ion in which he is placed does not
afford him ample and honourable opportunities of carrying
into eff •ct, His royal highness had qualities of the highest
' order. tie would have been a distinguished man in what•
ever position of life it might have been his fortune to be
placed, and he has contributed, as much as it was possible
for any man to do in the performance of those various and
extensive duties which fell to his lot, to the happiness,
welfare, and prosperity of the country. Well, then, sir, I
say, upon every principle—whether it be to gratify and
satisfy the feelings of the country, or whether to hold out
an example to every man of the exercise of those qualitiep,
—these forbearing qualities which accompanied the highest
feeling and most honouraUe ambition on the part of his
royal highness, and which may be practised by any man,
and when practised will secure for any man the honour and
respect of his countrymen—l say, so far as that subject can
be accomplished, I am sure that the house will be of opinion
that the proposal is worthy of avoe of this house. And
then, when we consider the affection which is felt by the
whole nation for our gracious Sovereign, when we recollect
what a deep and irreparable blow she has sustained by the
loss of the person who was the foundation of the happiness
of the happiest possible life—when w.• consider how the
feelings of the country sympathise with her Majesty, I am
persuaded that I am not wrong is saying that this house
never can be .nd never has been a more true exponent and
organ of the feelings of the country, than when they ten-
der, as I trust they will do this evening, respectfully to
her Maj sty a token of the deep sympathy which they
feel for her misfortune, and of their heartfelt attachment

to her family. (Cheers ) It may, indeed, be said of the
people of this country that they feel they have a Suve-

reign who, without any disparagement to her, it may be
said, they consider as one of themselves. Her joys are con •
sidered by them as their joys—her sorrows are partaken of
by them as sorrows of their own ; and I am persuaded,
therefore, that I am not appealing in vain to the good feel-
ing and loyalty of this house in propos ng that we should
this evening vote the sum which will be necessary to com-
plete the amount of the subscription raised to the sum which
has been estimated as the probable cost of such a memorial
as her Majesty shall select tor the purpose in view. Toe
commissioners have made their report. They recommend,
as I have said, a single and personal memorial. I believe
that they calculate the cost of that to be something like
LllO,OOO. The amount subscribed reaches nearly to £6O 000.
If to that we add the £50,000, which it is my duty to pro-
pose to parliament, I believe an amount will be gained
amply sufficient to erect a memorial which shall be worthy
of the country by whi h it is erected, and at the same time
do adequate honour to the Prince Consort, and be soothing
to the feelings of those to whom this house and the country
are desirous to do honour. (Cheers )
Mr. T I TE said be thought the amount of the subscription
had been considerably modified : that many cities and loca-
lities in the country desired to have a memoriel of their own.
As one of the members of the committee, the designs for
the competition had came under his observation, and he
must say they displayed a great variety of architectural
talent. The selection had fallen upon a design by Mr. G. G.
Scott. It was a memorial cross. The house possibly knew
that he (Mr. Tite) differed from many other persons with
regard to the use of Gothic architecture for secular bu Id-
ings ; but for a building of this kind nothing could be more
appropriate, and nothing more elegant, as it was of a sacred
character, and in imitation of the monument erected by King
Edward I. to his Queen Eleanor. With regard to the
cnaracter of these monuments, the beat examples were to
be found at Berlin, as that of Frederick I. by Rauch. It
was proposed that the cross should be of a certain height—
three hundred feet had been mentioned, but that was an
exaggeration. and its actual height would be 160 teet.
Mr. CONINGHA NI said he was sorry the subscribed
fund had been found insufficient for the purpose. He
thought the reason of the deficiency was that the public dis-
approved of the plan submitted by the Government. If it
had been of a useful character, and calculated to benefit
posterity, he thought the amount of the subscription would
be doubled, and even trebled ; and when they cast their
eyes round on the monuments of the metropolis, and saw
how unsuccessfully generally they had been carried out in
the shape of statues—(hear, hear)—he thought every sen-
sible man would wish to be memorialised by some means
calculated to benefir. posterity. He trusted it was not yet
too late for the royal commission to reconsider their deci-
sion. At first it was proposed to erect a monstrous mono-
lith ; now it was a still more monstrous Eleanor cross, as it
was called; which he thought was least calculated justly
to perpetuate the memory of the Prince Consort, and least
useful to the community at large.
Mr. DISRAELI—sir, I cannot agree with the hon.
gentleman in the causes he has assigned for the inadequacy
of the public subscription for this object, nor can I agree
with him as to the principle on which the monument should
be erected. I think her Majesty's Government have upon
the whole taken a well-considered and judicious course in
this matter, which was not altogether free from embarrass-
ment. The object is simple, and one which no one can
possibly object to ; but no doubt it had become connected
(from the manner in which the proposition originated) with
some circumstances which rendered the course of the Go-
♦ernment embarrassing. Sir. I am always confident that
the common sense of the house will extricate us from a
difficult position, and I am gratified to see that her Ma-
jesty's Government are of the same temper, and that by
appealing to the house with a proposition which is clear
and comprehensible, they have terminated a position of
affairs which was not altogether satisfactory. With re-
gard to the original feeling when this sad event occurred,
some time ago, I cannot agree with the hon. gentleman in
the inference which he has drawn, hat in the desire to
raise to the memory or that illustrious person whom the
country lost there was any dissatisfaction with the
nature of the appeal that was made to them. No one can
'ubt the real sympathy that pervaded the country when
that great calamity occurred—indeed that is scare ly an
adequate expression to describe the emotion that was then
felt—it was a tenting almost of anguish—anguish for the
less of him who had departed, and anguish fur those who
were left alone and deserted. Sir, I think there was upon
that occasion every desire in the country to express, so far as
their contributi, ns could express it, the feeling of the na-
tion. But it is to be observed that at that moment the
sympathy which was felt in the country was entirely of a
personal character. The loss was so sudden and unexpected
that the natural emotions of the community were naturally
directed to th person and character of him who had de-
parted. An affectionate husband, a perfect father, a master
whose yoke was gentleness, a wise and faithful counsellor
of the Sovereign—his consort—there were traits of cha-
racter in the station of the Prince that touched all hearts
and appealed to all feelings, and while there was a general
desire by a public contribution to show their sense of these
qualities, every community felt that it was equally a judge
of those virtues with rho metropolis; and there was an im-
mense amount of local subscriptions, which though incon-
veniently yet very naturally were devoted to the localities
in which they were raised. Every person, for example, who
had a scheme for erecting a hospital or a school seized that
opportunity of• general sympathy and sorrow for the merits
of the Prince whom we had lost to make a successful
attempt for obtaining the fund which would not have been
otherwise acquired. I believe that was the reason why pub-
lic contributions were not directed to one source. But as
time drew on something of the influence of posterity was
exercised upon the opinion of the country, and the country I
became conscious that they had lost a man not only of vir-
tuous and benignant character, who had exercised the quali-
ties he possessed for the advantage of the community of e hich
he was an eminent member, but a man of very original and
peculiar character, who had exercised a great influence upon
his age—an influence which, as time advanced, would be
more sensibly felt. The character of Prince Albert was
most peculiar in this respect—that it combined qualities '
which are considered to be greatly incompatible, and com-
bined those qualities in a complete degree, the character of
contemplation and the character of action. Prince Albert

combined the qualities of eontempletien are. the talent for
action. He was remarkable for profundity of thought com-
bined with quickness of o ganieation. Add to this charac-
ter all the virtu, s of the heart, and the h use will see that
his mind was one of the moat remarkable—mad this p-culiar
character was to be brought to bear upon the country in a
very happy manner. The task he proposed to himself was
to increase the knowledge, refine the tastes, and to enlarge
the sympathies of a proud and ancient people, and had he
not been gifted with that deep thought and that facility and
happiness of applying details, he could not have succeeded
so largely as h has done in these objects; and so much
the greater shall we feel the results of his eff ,rts as time
flows on. There is a strong impression, therefore, in the
country that there should be some memorial in the metro-
polis of the empire to commemorate the virtues of one who
was not only an amiable man, but who influenced the age in
which he lived, Therefore, I think her Majesty's Govern-
ment have taken the proper course on this occasion. I can-
not agree with the hon. member for Brighton that the vote
should be devot, dto some purpose of utility. I think that
it is a fallacious and narrow-minded principle to suppose
that you should raise some charity or some building which
may illustrate or appeal to some particular feature of the
Prince's character, or some t articular course in his conduct.
In my opinion tne memorial should be of a universal and
complete character; it should resemble the character of
the Prince in the beauty and harmony of its proportions, in
the appropriateness of its ornaments, and iu its enduring
character. It should appeal to tiv general sentiment of the
country, and, as it were, represent, as far as art can r, pre-
sent, the character and career of the living man. It should
be something significant, direct, and choice—no indirect,
and in deference to some narrow •mind d principle
of utility, referring merely to some fragmentary portion of
his lite and action. It should, above all things. be direct as
well as appropriate in its character, so that those who come
after us may se in i toe type and teetimony of a sublime
life and transcendent character, and be thus recognised by
a grateful and admiring people. (Cheers.)
Mr. GREGORY was of opinion that the plans proposed
werenut likely to no justice to tno character of the illustrious
r:inoe. As a member representing a part of Ireland he
would say that the proposed vote woula be well received
there, for the deceased Prince never made use of an ex-
pression that was calculated to give offence to any political
or religious party in that country. The monument should
be one which would do honour to the fame and virtues of
the Prince. (cheers.)
Mr. LIDDELL said the monument should be worthy of
the object which it was intended to commemorate, and
though or bits recognised elegance of form and beauty of
pr portion it.. characteristic of the Eleanor Cross, it might
be doubted whether those characteristics would be preserved
if the proportions were multiplied in one of the gigantic
dimense He should like therefore to know whether it
was d, fiaitively settled that an Eleauor Cross of 300 feet
high should be erected.
Mr. GARNE TT said it appeared to him to be a matter
of serious question whether an Eleanor Cross was the fittest
memorial for the Prince who had been taken from them.
Lord PALME RS FON said that the subscriptions which
had been raised were raised on the announced condition
that the style and charaa,ter of the monument should be
lett entirely to her Majesty. (Hear, hear.) It was on the
same condition that he proposed to add to the public sub-
scription the amount of the present vote. As they were
tendering this grant to her Majesty as a mark of their sym-
pathy with her deep affliction, and to gratify tneir own
natural feelings, they should not impose on her Majesty
their notions, but leave it to her Majesty to determine what
she might consiaer the most suitable monument. (Hear.)
Sir M. PE ro said he had seen the design of the proposed
monument, and in his opiaioa it was impossible to c mceive
anything more beautiful and more appropriate. But tie
doubted whether £llO,OOO would be sufficieet to have it ex-
ecuted in the style which they should desire to see it. if
Mr. Scott was to be allowed that latitude which he ought
to have in a matter of this kind, with respect to the choice
of stone and other points, he doubted whether the addbion
of £50,000 would be sufficient, but the house would not
hesitate if necessary to double that sum.
Admiral DUNCOMBE hoped the grant would be uncon-
ditional. He had no doubt there would be no difficulty in
voting a supplementary grant if the present one was not
sufficient.
Sir G. BO WYE Rthought the grant should be uncondi-
tional for the reason assigned as well as for this reason, that
no work of art had been successfully carried out where the
house held the control of it in their hands.
After a few words from Mr. POTTS,
The motion was agreed to.
THE KERTCH PRIZE MONEY.
Viscount PALMERSTON related the particulars of the
seizure of coal, machinery, and other stores, by the joint ex-
pedition of French and English ships which took posst talon
of Kertch in 1855, The coal was used by the ships, and the
machinery was found to be of great advantage during the
Crimean war in repairing the vessels. Ater long cone-
serit dence between the Treasury and the Admiralty, and
after taking the 'pinion of the law officers of the Crown,
her Majesty's Government came to the determination to,
allow the claim. The entire value of the stores was
£119,000, but he only proposed a vote of £85,0 iO, which
was the amount fixed upon after certain deductions. The
money would be distributed in the proportion of one-third
to the army and two-thirds to the navy.
Colonel DUN NE expressed hie satisfaction that the Go-
vettaucnt bad at length dnak, Pasties in this matter,
The vote was then agreed to.
EXCHEQUER BONDS.

On the motion of Mr. F. Peel, a sum of £1,000,000 was
voted fur the payment of exchequer bonds.
THE SUGAR DU PIES—THE BUDGET,

On the motion of the CHANCELLOR. of the EX-
CHEQUER that the house resolve itself into committee of
ways and means,
Mr. LINDSAY said he should abstain from bringing on
his motion with respect to the duties on sugar until the
house was in committee.
THE INCOME TAX,

Mr. ROEBUCK rose to move that in the opinion of the
hou,e the tax imposed on precarious incomes should be
lower than that imposed on permanent incomes. Starting
witl, the general proposition that taxatior, ought to be levied
off men according to their power of paying it, the non. and
learned member proceeded to contend that, although the
income tax could not be made perfectly equal in its opera.
tion, still an approximation to justice was attainable; and
although the great bulk of the income tax was paid by the
class who had small incomes, and although his proposal
might have the effect of dissipating thn Chancellor of the
Exchequer's surplus he called upon the right hon. gentle-
man to adjust the inequalities of the existing tax, by dis-
tinguishing between those whose income was derived from
professions and trades, and those whose income was
realised.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said Mr.
Roebuck had made himself the organ of expressing a feel-
ing which always would prevail es long as the ,ncome tax
should exist. Though unable to accede to the motion, or
to become an instrument to give effect to the resolution, he
could not shut his eyes to the anomalies and difficulties at-
tending the tax ; but in removing one or two anomalies,
three or four woubt be introduced. He admitted that if it
were possible to meet the case of professional men, their
case was the strongest, as they were in a different position
from tradesmen ; it was so difficult, however, to determine
the professional criterion that at the first attempt to apply
the principle it w,,uld break down. Some might be in-
cluded in the professional class who had permanent in-
comes, and if all professional men were not included
nothing would be done. He did not admit that all preca-
rious incomes were entitled to be assessed lower than per-
manent incomes. He reviewed and compared the relative
positions of the landed and trading interests, and showed
the results of an attempt t.o alter the relative scale of taxa-
tion, urging, as upon former occasions, that the alteration
would in some oases merely add to the tax on A in order to
relieve B. It was only, he observed, by a close examina-
tion, and by sifting all Ihe details of a scheme for making
the tax more equal, that the intrinsic difficulties of the at.
tempt would he discovered.

Mr. MALINS, though a professional man, strongly op-
posed the resolution.

Mr. B tSS spoke in favour of the resolution. by which,
he thought. the tax might be made more productive.

Mr. It 'EBUCK withdrew hie resolution.

Mr. HUBBARD made some remarks upon the financial
statement it the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He ob-
jected to the club lic,nces for the sale of liquors, which ho
hoped would be reconsidered. In adverting to the alterations
in the Incom-tax, he spoke approvingly of the concessions
made to persons with incomes less than £2OO a year. Re
then discussed the scheme of the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer for the convers on of permanent into terminable an-
nuities, which was, he said, only another form of a sinking
fund, now regarded as an utter delusion. After declaring
his conviction of the justice, propriety, and eat ediency
of a
reduction of the duty on fire insurances, he strongly objected
to that part of the budget which imposed a tax upon chari-
ties, by wthdrawing an exemption they hud hitherto
enjoyed, pointing out its effects upon funds raised for cha-
ritable objects.

Mr. MARSH, in the course of some remarks upon the
budge,, condemned the sacrifice of ,L 1,610,000 by the reduc-
tion of the tea duty, which would afford, he said a very smell
relief to the poor.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER made a
few observations upon the criticisms passed upon his budget,
reserving until the proper time a reply to Mr. Hubbard on
the subject of terminable annuities.
After a few words from Colonel SYKES, the house went
into a committee of Ways and Means.
In reply to Mr. D. GRIFFITHS,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER reiterated
the statement that the proposal to assess the duty at is per
lb, was regarded by the Government as a permanent settle-
ment of the question.
The resolution was then agreed to.
THE SUGAR DUTIES.

On the resolution continuing the sugar duties at their
present rata for the period between the let of July, 1863,
and the lst of August, 1864.

Mr. LINDSAY rose to draw attention 'o the objections
to be urgf d to the present system of differential duties on
sugar. The obvious effect of taxing the inferior aescrip•
lions of sugar at the lowest rate, namely, 12s 8d the cwt.,
was to encourage the importation of the inferior article, In

the year 1861, out of 9,000,000 cwts. of sugar imported int'
this country, only 3J,000 cwts. paid the higher duty of 16s.
In Th 62 the whole amount of the revenue collected from
the 18s 4d and 16. duties am, unted to only £291,000, onl
of the total revenue of near six millions. The drawback ot
exportation of those classes of sugars was £184,000, leaving
only £107,000 to go into the revenue. The equalisation 0,
the duties was the best thing that could be doiae. In the
first place, it would cause the production of b etter sugars
throughout the world, and the abolition of this differentia
duties would place tne English refiner in a butt, r position
and enable him to refine iu bowl on advanta.geous terms
The equalisatic.n of the sugar duties would en, irmously in
crease the consumption of that article, aztd at the same tint
give a great addition to the revenue.
Mr. CAVE said he did not anticipate a sugar debate
this
session. He referred to the committee of inquiry avpointec
last session on the sugar duties. It was conducted with gnat
fairness, and in the end the committee reported in favour 0
the ex'ension of the system of classification of sugsza.
Mr. C. E WING expressed his opinion that an truifortt
rate of duty and a system of refining in bond would be 01
great benefit to the country.
Mr GRE 'GSON also recommended an uniform rate °I
duty, on the ground that the manufacturers would thereby
be led to give the public the best of sugar.
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER said until
the result of the Conference at Paris on the drawbacks
allowed on sugar was known, the question would be in all
undetermined state.
Atter a few words from Mr. CARDWELL, the resolu-
tion was agreed to.

THE INCOME TAX.
On the sth resolution, reimposing the income tax at 7d
in the p und,
Mr. HUNT said that he could not see why they should
limit the £6O deduction to incomes below £2OO. 11e
thought it aright be extended much further.
In reply to a question from Mr. PULLER.
Tne t_, HAN, ELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated
that, in respect of the deduction, it was his intention to place
the farmer in the same position as everybody else. He did
not know what the t ffect of the proposal of the hon. mar
ber for Northampton would be, but he did not think it
desirable to encourage wealthy people to reduce their
comes by a few pounds.
Mr. HENLEY hoped that the right hon. gentleman
would consider that part of his scheme which related to the
abolition of the exemption hitherto enjoyed by charities.
(Hear, hear.) rie should cerrainly call attention to the
subject when the bill was before them.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assured
him that under no circumstances should the income tax in
such cases be paid twice over. It would not be chargeable
upon the income of any person to whom a portion of the
moue, s of the charity was 'Aid.
The resolution was, after some discussion, however,
agreed to.
After some further discussion the consideration of the
remaining resolutions was postponed.
The house then resumed

The Stock Certificates to Bearers Bill was read a secon
time, the discussion being reserved for another stage.
The Bakehouses Regulation Bill passed through CO'er
mittee.

The Vaccination (Ireland) Bill was read a second time.
The Telegraphs Bill was passed through committee.
The Local Govet nment Supplemental Bill and the Lao;
Drainage (Provisional Orders) Bill were read a second
time.

POISONED GRAIN.
Mr. PAULL obtained leave to introduce a bill to probl'
bit the use and sale of poisoned grain in certain cases.
The bill was read a first time.
The house adjourned at 20 m nutes past one o'clock.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

sb.

MANCHESTER—APRIL 23.
A limited attendance to-day, with a moderate demand
for wheat, which maintained last week's prices. Ameriel
sold to a fair extent at late rates. Flour was very dull
sale, but in its value we can quote no alreration, althoue,
perhaps in some instanc-s lather less money might bit!:
been accepted to promote business. Oats and oatmeal we"'
steady. Beans and Indian corn ruled firm, without, 10.
ever, much being done in them.

BIRMINGHAM—APRIL 23.
English wheat was sold at 48s to 56s for white, an(l --4 to
400
to 548 per 36 stone for red. Barley, new malting, 3`loo
42s per qr; grinding, 24s to 28s Oats, old, 24s to
per 30 stone ; Irish, 228 to 255. Beans, 408 to 48aser
Peas, 38s to 44s per 36 :,tone.

EDINBURGH GRAIN—Arum 22.
A fair supply of farmers' wheat to-day, which rae-
moderate sale at the prices of last week. ats t slow Pie'
at 6d to is decline.

Wheat on the top is 6d down average Os 7d 147;4,
Barley on the top la 6d down .average is 4d doo,
Oats on the top Os 6d up average Os 4d do S,
Beans on the top is 6d down ..average Os 5d A°s
Total Supply and Sales.
Wheat ... 929 qrs Sold 534 qrs
Barley... 59 i qrs Sold 441 qrs
Oats
Beans 179 qrs Sold 151 qrs
,a
Flour sells as follows :—Whites, 44s Od ; extras, 40 °
superfine, 39s Od ; fine, 37s Od.

CORK—APRIL 23. ued
The following were the quotations this morning :7. 60
wheat, Gs dto Via ELI ; hito, 7a Od to lls Od te
6d to 5s Od ; oats, 6s. Od to 8s Od. ; black do., 7s
8s Od.

DERRY SMITHFIELD—APRIL 21.
A good supply of fat beasts to-day, and late prices 1/21
fully maintained. The number of sneer in the pens 7.0
large, the greater part being shorn of their wool, al d hey
demand was brisk. Fat and store calves plentiful, and tm
were in better request Pigs a small show. 7(1
Beet 6ld to 71(1 1 Veal . 6O to 7d
Mutton ... 6'2(l to 711 Pork
Lamb —d to —d Rough fat, 3s 9d per stt'' I
,Hides, 3d to 40; calf skins, 5d to 6d.