The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-17 00:00:00

OCCUPATION OF MEXICO.

Sir G. BOWYER asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
what information her Majesty's Government had received
respecting the occupation of Mexico by France, and the
intentions of the French Government regarding Mexico F
Lord FALMERSTON said that the latest advices re-
ceived from the British Consul was that the French corps
had advanced to Mexico. What were the intentions of the
._French, or any other foreign Government, it was not the
duty of an English Minister to expound. His noble friend
the
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vessel by the Garibaldians; and whether he would forth-
with
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aecopy
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Colonel DUNNE asked the Secretary of State for War
whether certain lands, comprising
part of the glacis
other-
wise connected with the citadel of Hull,
had not been
sold by the Board of Ordnance some years since ; and
whether the titles to such lands so sold are not invalidated
by tile recent opinions of the law of of the crown, al-

Mr. COWPER said that the double appointment only
existed in the brain of the hon. member. Sir E. Pearson
had never been actually appointed to the post, and in pre-
senting it to Mr. Tite he did so without any improper bias
or feeling. The right hon. gentleman entered into a long
and minute explanation of the circumstances connected
with the appointment of Mr. Tite, with the view of show-
ing that it was altogether free from the character of a job.
He was quite ready to produce the correspondence on the
subject, but objected to the motion of the hon. baronet on
the ground that the question at issue was one for the deci-
sion of a law court rather than a committee of this house.

Explanations were also offered by Mr. TITE, who ob-
served that he only accepted the office after receiving an
assurance from the Chief Commissioner of Works that Sir
E. Pearson had no claim to the appointment, and that he
had never intended to culler it upon him ; that the emolu-
ments attached to the office did not amount to more than
£lOO a year for two or three years, and that there were
really no funds in existence to provide even that miserable
stipend.

Mr. MACAULAY supported the motion on the ground
that he considered Sir E. Pearson had been very ill-treated,
but suggested that the motion should be amended by con-
fining the inquiry to the circumstances connected with the
appointment of the hon. member for Bath as chairman of
the commission.

Mr. H. BAILLIE contended that the Chief Commis-
sioner of Works would have been wanting in his public
duty had he conferred the office upon Sir E, Pearson.

Lord PALMERSTON justified the course adopted by
the Chief Commissioner in the appointment of Mr. Tite.
On a division the motion for a committee was negatived
by 139 to 128, being a majority in favour of the Govern-
ment of 11 only.

THE SUEZ CANAL.

In reply to Mr. entiFFlTit,

Mr. LAYARD stated that he was in great doubts with
regard to the terms upon which the labourers were em-
ployed in the construction of the Suez canal; but it was
admitted that the contractors had entered into an agreement
with a Greek firm to furnish labour, and that these had
induced the Pacha of Egypt to supply them with a consi-
derable number of men. Whether the labour was forced or
not, one thing which was certain was, that the poor people
laboured against' their will, were torn from their villages
and replaced by fresh supplies every month, that many of
them came from as far as the first cataract of the Nile, and
that great misery was inflicted upon the population. The
hon. gentleman also stated, in answer to Col. Sykes, that
the Government approved of the recent operations against
the Taepings at Shanghae.
At the instance of Mr. HUNT,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL detailed the circum-
stances under which he had struck out of the list of persons
unanimously recommended by the Town Council of North-
ampton to fill the vacancies in the number of charity trus-
tees for that borough the names of four gentlemen profess-
ing Conservativn .net hurl .übstituted nth Ara in
lieu of them.

Major EDWARDS expressed regret that the recommen-
dation of the council had not been acted upon, and observed
that it had led to an unpleasant feeling in the borough.
Mr. AYRTON called attention to the manner in which
the charges for the civil services were increased, and sug-
gested that it was expedient to change the mode of conduct-
ing business, so as to enable the house to more effectually
supervise the progress of measures tending to that increase.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER admitted
that the subject was ono of importance, and that it required
consideration whether some practical measure might not be
devised with a view to effecting improvement. In the case
of bills relating to public works, for example, he saw no
reason why a definite estimate should not be produced be-
fore such bills had passed through the various stages. Re
had no objection to ask the house, on an early day, to ap-
point a select committee to inquire into the matter.
The house then went into committee of supply, and on
the vote for harbours of refuge,
.Mr. BAXTER to moved reduce the amount by the sum
of £90,000 for Alderney.
Sir J. ELPIITNST ONE seconded the motion.

Lord C. PAGET defended the vote, and entreated the
committee not to leave the works in their present sad and
unfinished state. Ho also gave an assurance ttmtno further
sums would be expended on the defences of Alderney.
After discussion the committee divided, and the amend-
ment was negatived by 138 to 130.
Upon Mr. DISRAELI entering the Hou -e from the lobby
of the minority ho was cheered by several members at the
bar. The announcement of the result of the division was
received with loud cheers.

The vote was then agreed to, and the CHAIRMAN re-
ported progress.
The Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Acts
Amendment Bill and the Retiring Pay (British Forces,
India) Bill were passed through committee.
The house then adjourned.

SP URTING IN7ELLIG.ENCE.