The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-22 00:00:00

THE AMNESTY IN POLAND,

Mr. DENMAN asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
whether her Majesty's Government had received any in-
formation as to whether the amnesty offered by the Em-
per, r of Russia to those engaged in the Polish insurrection
was intended to suspend the execution of political prisoners
token Since the commencement of those proceedings of the
the Russian authorities which led to the insurrection ?
Lord PALMERSTON replied that it was now well
known that the Russian Government had issued a procla-
mation granting an amnesty. There were some variations
in the proclamation issued at St. Petersburg, and that
is- ued at Warsaw. As yet the Government had received
no very accurate information as to the correct interpreta-
tion. There were different interpretations as to the
exact purport of the proclamation—one asserting
to be in the comprehensive sense mentioned by his
laortourable and learned friend ; the other that its
intentions were rather restricted. All he could say
was that he hoped the larger interpretation was the just
one. (Rear, hear.) It was impossible not to feel that the
Russian Government entertained the sense that its troops in
Poland had unfortunately committed acts of ferocious vio-
lence, and that there was great reason for the enaction of
acts of forbearance and mercy in order to set them right
wi h the public. (Hear, hear.)

CHIEF MINISTERS OF STATE IN THE HOUSE

OF LORDS.

Mr. D. GRIFFITH desired to ask the noble lord (Lord
Palmerston), whether he thought it desirable, with a view
t he efficiency of the public service,of
three departments--
and respectful to the
11(118e of Commons, that the chiefs
namely, the Secretary at War,the
Admiralty, and the Secretary of Chief Secretary of the
State for Foreign Affairs,
eh( uld be concentrated in the House of Lords, and this
house left to the Under-Secretaries of the three Depart-
ny nts? (Hear, hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON replied that it had been his en-
deavour to make the best arrangement he could for
the public service, combining as many benefits
with as few objections as possible. (Hear, hear.)
It would be desirable, 'no doubt, to have the whole of the
Secretaries of State in the lion% of Commons; but all he
could say was, that the house would not suffer any incon-
venience in consequence of the arrangements recently made
in regard to full explanations being offered to the house in
all matters relating to the public service. (near, hear.)
ADMIRAL WILR.RS.

Mr. ROEBUCK desired to ask the noble lord, the First
Lord of the Treasury, a question—but if inconvenient he
would repeat it on Thursday—whether the Government
hAll determined upon what line of conduct it would be proper
to pursue with regard to Admiral Wilkes—(hear, hear)—
and whether the noble lord had any objection to state the
nature of the determination of the Government ?

Lord PALMERSTON_.I would rather take the qua.
tion as a notice for a future day. (Laughter.)
WOODS, FORESTS, AND LAND RE VENUE
OFFICE, &c.

Mr. A. SMITH then rose to move for a select committee
to inquire into the Office of Woods, Forests,
idi
BaunidLa Land Re-
venues, and the Office of Works and Public
thP operation of the Act 14 and 15 Vic. C. 42, by ngs,and
which
th,,e were constituted as two separate departments
I the past year there had been a savimg of one rai rillionn.
r
rv- on
e.ich of the departments for war and „the navy ; but he re-
F„ c‘ted to find there had been no saving effected in the es-
tiwaies for the civil service, with regard to which there
was more complaint than in any other department of the
e. The hon. gentleman then referred to the Hon. Mr.
Gore's report of the income and expenditure, which he
(Mr. Smith) urged was a too favourable estimate of the
receipts and expenditure of this department. The hon.
gentleman concluded by moving the appointment of a se-
lect committee.
M. PEEL •
said he was quite ready to admit that the
conditionbrought
frof the. Crown lands was a fair subject to be
bonne,boot,_ utie to time under the consideration of the
because they constituted a considerable source