The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-10 00:00:00

MEXICO.

Mr. R. LONG asked the Under-Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs if the statement of James L. Hart was cor-
rect, viz.," The vice consuls of the United States of America
and of Prussia have retired from the French camp" (at
Puebla), " and have been unsuccessful in their mission in
asking that the women and children might be allowed to
leave the beleaguered city :" and, whether any representa-
tive of Great Britain took part in such mission or remon-
strance.

Mr. LAYARD replied that he knew nothing of the facts.
No information of the kind had reached the Foreign-office.
THE SLAVE TRADE.—SEIZURE OF A FRENCH

SHIP.

Mr. ADDINGTON asked the Secretary to the Admi-
ralty, whether any official intelligence had been received of
the circumstances under which a French vessel, recently
detained by Her Majesty's Ship Zebra, on the west coast of
Africa, on suspicion of being engaged in the slave trade,
refused to show any papers authorising her to hoist the
French flag, and was subsequently liberated by the
prize court at Sierra Leone; and whether the decision of
the prize court will involve the efficer in command of her
Majesty's ship Zebra in any demand for compensation for
the capture and detention of the suspected slaver ?
Lord C. PAGET replied that in February last her Ma-
jesty's ship Zebra perceived a suspicious vessel, which on
being hailed refused to show her colours. A shot was fired
across her bows, when she showed French colours. On
being boarded appearances were found denoting that she
was engaged in the slave trade. The master declined to show
his papers, and she was taken in tow and carried to a spot
where a French man-of-war was expected to be found. Such
however, was not the case. A reiterated demand was made
to the master for his papers, but as he again refused to pro-
duce them, the vessel was taken to Sierra Leone, and adju-
dicated upon three days after. The French Consul pro-
duced the papers and apologised for the obstinacy of the
captain. No demand had been made for compensation.
ISIALTA AND ALEXANDRIA TELEGRAPH.

Sir W. GALLWEY asked the Secretary to the Treasury
if he would lay upon the Table of the House a return of all
ra°llleB 'voted by Parliament or contributed from the
Indian 14.
--varuraent for making, transporting from
this mantr7, and laying the cable now working
"ween
Melti' and Alexandria, with a detail of
all payments made to Messrs. Glass and Elliott relative to
this cable previous to itsg opened to the public; also a
copy of the lease to Messrs. Glass and Elliott, by whom
this line was worked, with the groan receipts since such
lease was granted.
Mr. F. PEEL had no objection to produce all the papers.
Sir W. GALLWEY asked if the hon. gentleman would
postpone any further vote until the Papers were before the
house ? _ _

Mr. F. PEEL replied that the Government
a contract with the parties, and that he emadt,"theerrioderer,
postpone the vote.
CASUAL PAUPERS.
Viscount RAYNHAM asked the President of the Poor
Law Board whether parochial authorities had power to
refuse at any time the admission into workhouses of per-
sons who applied for relief as casual poor ?
Mr. VILLIERS replied that according to law every
person who was really destitute was entitle to rel
ief
on
application at the nearest workhouse, and the d responsibilityd
of providing the requisite accommodation and provisions
rested with the parish authorities. The complaint of the
noble lord had been received at the Poor Law Board, and
directions given to make inquiry into the circumstances set
forth.