The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS---This Evening.
The LOBD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.
PRUSSIA AND RUSSIA.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH referred to the state•
meat made by Earl Russell with regard to the convention
between Prussia and Russia. That statement had assured
him the matter might be safely left in his hands ; but he
had seen a statement in a newspaper from a speech of
Count Bismark, that there was some inexactness in what
the noble earl had stated, and he therefore wished the noble
earl to have an opportunity of making any observations on
the subject he might feel disposed.
Earl RUSSELL said that it did not appear clear what
Count Bismark had said, but be certainly had stated ex-
actly what had passed between him and the Russian and
Prussian ambassadors, that he had been informed that the
convention was for the purpose of Polish refugees being
given up to the Russian authorities, and the giving of
assistance to Russian troops forced to flee from Russian
territory: He adhered to the statement which had been
confirmed by subsequent events.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY asked a question respect-
ing the statement relative to the arrest of Polish students.
Earl RUSSELL said he believed it was true that an
arrest of students had taken place, but he did not know at
the present moment whether the students had been given
up to the authorities in Russia.
The subject then dropped.
PRINCE OF WALES ANNUITY BILL.
Earl GRANVILLE moved the second reading of this

bilt —The noble lord said he did not think there-was any
necessity for him to go at any length into the nature of the
provision made on former occasions, or the increased
value of money since that period. It was matter
of congratulation that, by the economy introduced with re-
gard to the management of the Duchy of Cornwall, such a
moderate sum as that proposed was all that was required on
the present occasion.
The bill was then read a second time.
TRANSPORTATION.

Earl STANHOPE moved that an humble address be
presented to her Majesty for a copy of a memorial presented
on the 12th of February, 1863. by a deputation of the colo-
nists from West Australia to the Duke of Newcastle, pray-
ing for a more extended system of transportation to that
colony. The noble earl said it was really desirable to know
whether the Government felt disposed to grant the prayer
of the memorialists. He felt that great advantages would
flow from a well considered plan for the introduction of con-
vict labour in many of our distant dependencies. In carry-
ing out such a proposition, of course two things would have
to be considered, namely the advantage likely to result to
any particular colony to which that labour
might be sent, and whether the colonists were
willing to receive convict labour. He was aware that a
Royal Commission was now inquiring into the sub-
ject of prison discipline, but whatever might be the report
of the commissioners he thought but little good would be
effected until they returned to the system of transportation.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said he did not expect the
noble lord would think that ho ought to enter fully into
a question which was now the subject of inquiry by a Royal
Commission, and in which the question involved was the
best system of convict punishment—prison discipline or
transportation. With respect to Bermuda, that could only
be considered as a colonial prison, in which it had been
thought desirable to reduce the number of prisoners.
In any question of transportation, Bermuda was
not likely to be taken into account. The only remain-
ing convict settlements were Bermuda, Gibraltar, and
Western Australia, and with a diminishing number of con-
victs sent abroad it became necessary to abandon one of
them, and it had been decreed that that one should be Ber•
muda. He did not know that the noble earl had exactly
stated the case for Western Australia. The sending out
a number of convicts irrespective of the crimes they
had committed, had been fraught with the worst re-
sults, but in the event of its being thought desirable to send
any larger number of convicts abroad, the wishes of the
colonists of Western Australia would not be lost sight of.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS--This Evening.

The SPEAKER took the chair at four o.clock.
DEAL IMPROVEMENT BILL.

On the second reading,
Mr. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN moved that it be
read a second time this day six months, on the ground
that the majority of the inhabitants were opposed to the
bill, there being an act in force which gave all the advan-
tages sought to be obtained by this measure.
Sir C. BRYDGES seconded the motion.

Mr. MASSEY supported the amendment.
After a few words from Sir E. DERING, the second
reading was negatived without a division.
SECOND READINGS,
The Hastings Pier, Harbour, and Railway, and Newton
and Malignileth Railway (agreement with the Great
Western) Bills were read a second time.
BRISTOL DOCKS AND PORT BILL.
On the motion of Mr. FORSTER, these bills were referred
to the General Committee on Railway and Canal Bills.

PETITIONS.
Mr. Cox, from Alderman and members of the Common

Council of London, in favour of the retention of Epping

Forest for the public, and praying for inquiry.—Mr. 'Con-
DEN, from Rochdale, praying for an equalisation of the
sugar duties.
THE COMMERCIAL TREATY BETWEEN
FRANCE AND ITALY.
Mr. W. FORSTER asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, whether the Foreign Office had in its
possession a copy of the Commercial Treaty between France
and Italy now waiting ratfication by the Italian Parlia-
ment, and also a copy of the new Italian tariff; if so,
whether he was prepared to lay these documents upon the
table of the house; and, if not, whether he was aware that
several days ago these documents were laid upon the table
of the Italian Chambers by the Italian Minister.
Mr. LAYARD hoped that the explanation which he
ventured to offer the other night would have been deemed
satisfactory. The fact was that treaty had not been com-
pletely ratified. However, as soon as it NI as ratified it
would be laid on the table of the house, and communicated
to the various chambers of commerce. An abstract had
been confidentially
NDON communßA I LWAYS. icated to the Government.

Lord ENFIELD gave notice that on Tuesday next he
should ask the President of the Board of Trade whether,
looking at the number of railway projects afoot for the me-
tropolis and suburbs, it would not be expedient, with a
view to the protection of the public, to appoint a special
committee or Royal Commission to report thereon.
ENTRY OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES
ORDER OF PROCESSION.

Sir R. CLIFTON asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether there as any truth in the
statement in the newspapers yesterday that he had written
to the authorities of the City as to changing the ceremonial
upon the reception of the Princess Alexandra?
Sir G. GREY replied that he had not given any instruc-
tions altering any plan of loyal ceremonial that her Ma-
jesty's subjects proposed adopting. He had, it was true,

been co-operating with the different authorities, in
order to assist them into the best mode of doing
honour to her Royal Highness in her passage
through London, (Loud cheers.) The procession would
not be a state one in the usual sense of that term.
There would be six open ;carriages, provided the weather
was of a very favourable nature—(laughter)—and
the cortege would be attended by a squadron of
Life Guards. A strong desire had been expressed by the
City of London—always foremost in all loyal demonstra-
tions and in loyalty to the Throne—(cheers)—to take a
leading part in the reception of the Princess at the
Bricklayers Arms, the citizens claiming some jurisdic-
tion over the ancient and loyal borough of Southwark.
The other municipal authorities of the districts through
which their Royal Highnesses would pass had also ex-
pressed an anxious desire to be allowed the fullest oppor-
tunity of taking a part in the proceedings of the day.
(Hear, hear.) It had, therefore, been arranged
that the authorities of Southwark—attended by his two hon.
friends the members for the borough M.
Layard and Mr.
Locke)--(hear, and laughter)—should attend at
the Bricklayer's Arms to receive the Princess.
The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs would be likewise
present at the station ; but it was arranged,
in order to prevent overcrowding, in consequence of the
number of carriages, that the civic procession, in
its entirety, should join at London-bridge and
precede the cortege as far as Temple-bar. At
Temple-bar the authorities of Westminster, headed
by the Duke of Buccleuch, High Steward, the Dean
of Westminster, the High Constable, and other burgesses
would receive the Princess. (Hear, hear.) The authorities
of every part of the metropolis, through which her Royal
Highness will pass had really and truly vied, the
one with the other, to do honour to the Princess
Alexandra, and to be afforded an opportunity of exhibiting
their loyality on this interesting occasion, a feeling shared
in common by all her Majesty's loyal subjects, and every
opportunity would be afforded them_ in carrying out their
desires. (Loud cheers.)
In reply to Mr. LOCKE and Sir G. BoWYEE,
Sir G. GREY said the Sheriffs, being Sheriffs of Lon-
don and Middlesex, would continue with the procession
along the whole of its route.
Mr. LOCKE considered that the authorities of South-
wark should have precedence in the procession. Would the
Lord Mayor and the civic authorities head the procession.
Sir G. GREY should feel obliged if the hon. gentleman
would communicate with him out of the house as
to the
arrangement on the day of the processioni.rn_
_G.
THE LEVEE—OVERCROI IN
In reply to an Hoi:e.
ME
nßir
Sir G.consulted with the Lord
Chamberlain,
said h
and iiappeaeredafrom the statements of that
noble lord that the last Levee was a most exceptional one,
no less than 3,000 gentlemen having attended to show
their respect to the Prince of Wales. (Hear, hear.) The
accommodation provided on these occasions was only for
1,500. The gentlemen were invited to use a room with a
number of seats provided for ladies attending the Drawing
Rooms, but no one availed themselves of the offer—(laugh-
ter)—so eager were they to gain access to his Royal High-
ness. (Hear, hear.)
BREACH OF PRIVILEGE—SIR F. SMITH AND
MR. REED.

Sir J. PAKINGT ON rose to put the following question
to the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether he could inform
the house that Mr. Reed, previous to his employment by
the present Board of Admiralty, had ever drawn the lines,
or prepared the models, or superintended the construction
of any man-of-war or other ship ?
Lord C. PAGET replied, that looking at the circum-
stances that Mr. Reed was about to be called to the house,
it would be better for:the right hon, baronet to defer put-
ting his question. (Hear, hear.)
The SPEAKER then inquired of the Sergeant-at-
Arms if Mr. Reed was in attendance ?
The SERGEANT-AT-ARMS—Mr. Reed is in at-
tendance.
The SPEAKER—Let him be brought ill.
immediately
The SELQE4n-Aw-Amis then retired, and