The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-30 00:00:00

THE WAR IN AMERICA.

THE SEIZURE OF MAIL BAGS.

Earl RUSSELL said the noble lord had heard him cor-
rectly, and when the communication had been received
from the American Government by her Majesty's Govern-
ment, they would first consider the answer, and what other
steps were to be taken in the matter,

DRAINAGE OF LAND (IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.

CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS BILL.
Earl RUSSELL moved the second reading of this bill.
Lord RE DES DALE objected to one of the provisions of
the measure, which gave the House of Commons the power
of suspending a writ, under certain conditions, for five
years.

(LEFT SITTING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—This Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
THIRD READINGS.

The following bills were read a third time :—London.
Tilbury, and Southend Railway and Mersey Docks and
Harbour.

The Skipton Gas Bill was considered and ordered to be
read a third time.

PETITIONS.

Petitions were presented by Sir H. STRACEY, from the
Governors of middlesex Hospital, against the imposition of
the'income tax on charitable institutions; an HON.
MEMBER, from the London Hospital, to the like effect ;
an HON. MEMBER, Haverfordwest, against the amalgama-
tion of the City police. Sir DE L. EVANS, the vestry of
St. Martin's, Mr. Cox, Finsbury, Mr. KNATCIIBULL-
HUGESSEN, Sandwich, to the Ikm effect; Mr. BRIGHT,
Birmingham, for a reduction of the fire insurance duty, and
Manchester, in favour of closing public-houses on the
Sabbath; Mr. PEASE, from the women of Stockport, to
the like effect ; Sir F. CROSSLEY, West Riding of York-
shire, to the same effect; Mr Cox, Finsbury, in favour
of marriage with a deceased wife's sister; Mr. HENNESSY,
in favour of the independence of Poland,
STAMPS ON DELIVERY ORDE C.S.

Mr. BASS asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether he would state the amount or computed amount of
revenue which has been derived from stamps on delivery

orders ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
the mode of levying the tax, and said the estimated amount
was £lO,OOO.
HOMES FOR WIVES AND CHILDREN OF
SAILORS.

Mr. ADDINGTON asked the Secretary to the Admi-
ralty, whether in the naval barracks now building, and
ordered to be built at the different dockyards, provision
would be made for the accommodation of the wives and
children of sailors, in the same manner as exited at present
for the families of soldiers in military barracks.
Lord C. PAGET explained that the matter had been
very carefully considered •by the Admiralty, and they had
come to the conclusion that it would not be advisable that
they should construct naval barracks, with a view to the
accommodation of the wives and children of sailors. These
barracks were very different to military barracks. Soldiers
went with their wives and families from one barracks to
another ; but when a sailor, who was temporarily lodged in
the naval barraclt s, went to sea, his wife and children would
have to be turned out, if previously admitted, which would
be a very painful circumstance. The Admiralty would
not lose sight of the suggestion made with respect to the
education of sailors' children.
LUNATICS IN IRELAND.

Mr. M'EVOY asked the Chi.f Seoretary for Ireland
whether the Government would this session introduce a
bill to extend to Ireland such provisions of the Act 16 and
17 Vic., c. 97, as would enable magistrates to commit dan-
gerous lunatics direct to asylums instead of to county gaols
as now.

Sir R. PEEL explained that new gaols were building
which would afford the requisite accommodation, when the
law, as suggested, would be altered.

SCHOOL OF NAVAL ARCHITECTURE.

Sir J. PAKINGTON asked the Secretary to the Admi-
ralty, whether the board had considered the necessity of
a revival of a school of naval architecture; and whether,
in the event of such an institution being established on a
basis approved by the Board, they would be disposed to ex-
tend to it encouragement and support.
Lord C. PAGET replied that the Admiralty was deeply
impressed with the absolute necessity that existed for the
revival of a school of naval architecture. Any proposals
made with that view would receive favourable considera-
tion from the Admiralty. The subject was under consi-

aeration.
COLONIAL BISHOPRICS AND THE IRISH
CLERGY.
Mr. LEFROY asked the Under Secretary of State for
the Colonies if any of the five colonial bishoprics which had
been vacant had been offered to any of the Irish clergy ?
Mr. C. FORTESCUE explained the nature of these
vacancies. He had heard it said that Lancashire, which
has as large a population as Ireland, had never had any of
her clergymen selected to fill colonial bishoprics. (Laughter.)
One Irish clergyman had been already selected to fill one
of the vacancies, and doubtless the noble lord at the head of
the Government would be gh.d to appoint eligible candidates
from the Irish clergy as vacancies occurred. (Hear, and
laughter.)

SEIZURE OF THE ALEXANDRA.
In reply to Mr. WHITESIDE,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that he was unable
to state when the question wc.uld come on fur trial.
CHICORY.
ID reply to Sir E. CODRINOTON,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained
that the course pursued was the same as on former occa-
sions. The duty would be levied by resolution, and imposed
so soon as it received the sanction of the house.
THE GALWAY CONTRACT.
In reply to Lotd DIINLELLIN,
Mr. PEEL stated that the details of this contract had
g A CesEhe: School sat bo
ed ;
con-
tinued not been finally settled.
arlt
on.h Commissionerou s o_te
1o:a Worksceup on
whetherM r. L
hOeCiKntEenda
CARLTON-TER
the carriago-waY frominttehne,allltihiisnyesat:
the vacant ground
esdketodctohn:preiterect
also whether he would propo , during present session,
ih3tses e?t
heßidingtot
the continuation of
wherectrh:t
tinned in the vacant ground, and leases had
Jamtnre.s'cssawrkrtoßCzTegd-
ted by the Crown. It was not his • already been
gran
to prepare a new carriage way.'
Ile committee,
had reported in favour of it, but omitted it was true,
the expense was to be defrayed. A to indicate how
have to be taken down, groat s some houses would
to be incurred expense would, of course, have

THE WAR IN AMERICA.
THE MAIL BAGS OF THE PETERHOPF,
Mr. FOSTER desired to ask the Under Secretary of
State for Foreign Aflairs if he was correct in the surmise
that satisfactory information had been received this atter-
noon from America with re-pect to the mail bags of the
Peterhoff.
Mr. LAYARD—I have to state that to-day a very satis-
factory despatch has been received at the Foreign-office
frtm Lord Lyons. It sates that Mr. Seward had directed
that the mail bags of the Peterhoff would be sent to their
destination without being opened. (Hear.)
CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE BILL.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the
second reading.
Lord R. CECIL said that it was proposed by section 3
of the said bill to impose a new charge upon the people,
but .hat the said proposal had not been referred to a com-
mittee of the whole house, as the custom and order
of the house required ; and he moved that
d.
the
order for reading the said bill a second time be die-

Earl RUSSELL said as the question of the Peterhoff
and the detention of her Majesty's mails had been the sub..
ject of discussion in the house the other evening, it might
be convenient if he stated the substance of some informa -
tion he had received that day from Lord Lyons. Lord
Lyons states that in answer to his application with respect
to the Peterhoff and her cargo, that the American Govern-
ment had declined to send her before the Prize Court.
With regard to the msil begs sent by her Majesty's Post-
master-General, in conformity with the letter of October 31,
they would be sent forward to their destination, and in any
similar case he should proceed in the same course until
some agreement bad been arrived at between her Majesty's
Postmaster-General and the United States Government.
He did not think the law of nations laid down any precise
rule with regard to the somewhat novel practice of forward-
ing mails by private ships, and therefore Mr. Seward wished
to make some communication to her Mjesty's Government.
He could not state what that communication would be, be-
cause it would be matter for further consideration
Lord CHELMSFORD asked it' he understood the noble
earl to say that the mails would be forwarded withaut
breaking the seals ?