The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.-LAST EVENING.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.

THE CASE OF MR WINSLOW.

Lord CHELMSFORD said he felt bound to make a
statement of a personal character, in consequence of what
had appeared in the public prints in reference to Mr.
Winslow and himself. The noble and learned lord then
referred'to the details which had appeared in the papers.
He had heard complaints against that gentleman to the effect
that he had absented himself from duties, which, upon
inquiry, he found to be correct. Mr. Winslow subse-
quently applied to him for a recommendation for a retiring
pension,..whicla, under the circumstances, he felt bound to
refuse.

RESIGNATION OF THE LORD CHANCELLOR.
Earl GRANVILLE said thatitbecame hisdutyto inform
the house that the noble and learned lord who had presided
over their discussions for some time had felt himself called
on to resign the distinguished position he had occupied. In
consequence of what had taken place in reference to the
noble and learned lord, the latter had felt it his duty to
tender the resignation of his office to .Lord Palmerston,
but the noble Lord (Palmerston) did not feel himself justi-
fied in accepting that resignation. However, under exist-
ing circumstances, and* compliance with the wishes of
the noble and. learned laTd, Lord Palmerston bad accepted
"treWeignation of the Lord Chancellor. -
PENALTIES LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

Lord DENMAN, on the order for the third reading of
his bill, moved as an amendment that it should be read a
third time that day three months.

The house then divided.
For the third reading
Against
Majority —B
The bill was accordingly read a third time and passed.
IMPRISONMENT OF BRITISH SUBJECTS IN
ABYSSINIA.

Lord CHELMSFORD called the attention of the house
to the papers relating to the imprisonment of British sub-
jects in Abyssinia, presented by command of her Majesty.
The noble and learned lord contended that the honour and
dignity of this country were not vindicated by the course
which the Foreign-office had pursued in reference to the
British subjects imprisoned in Abyssinia.
Earl RUSSELL defended the conduct of the Govern-
ment, and said that very strict instructions had been given
to Consul Cameron. The noble earl then entered into a
detail of the negotiations between Mr. Plowden and Ras
Alli, and quoted, from la pamphlet by Dr. Beke, a descrip-
tion of the character and career of King Theodore. He also
referred to the death of Consul Plowden, and said that after
that event he proposed that Capt. Cameron should be sent
to Massawah. He did not care whether he was Consul to
Abyssinia or not. His duty was to reside principally at
Massawah, and he was not accredited to King Theodore.
He received the most stringent and precise instructions to
take no part in the internal affairs or the domestic dis-
putes of Abyssinia. But Consul Cameron did not follow
those instructions. On reaching Gondar the Consul was
at first well received by the King. Subsequently his tone
changed, and it is said that, in consequence of the delay in
answering the King's letter to the Queen,' Consul Cameron
and other Englishmen were thrown into prison. But Dr.
Beke expressed his disbelief that this was the real cause of
complaint against Consul Cameron ; and he (Earl Russell)
was of the same opinion. It was impossible to say in
what way an arbitrary and capricious monarch like King
Theodore might bo offended. The Government could
not form a positive opinion on that point ; but they lid
know that Captain Cameron had disobeyed his instruc-
tions, and had interfered in the internal affairs of
Abyssinia. The Government had been blamed for sending
to Abyssinia a person of no more consequence than Mr.
Rassam; but Mr. Cameron had, on the contrary, expressed
his fear that Mr. Rassam was a person of too much con-
sequence, being next to the governor of Aden. Besides
Mr. Rassam was accompanied by a British naval officer ;
and the King of Abyssinia might have received him if he
would not receive Mr. Rassam. His opinion was that
the non-reception of the Queen's letter was due either to
the King of Abyssinia's being unable to guarantee the
safety of the bearer, or to his desire to get a large mis-
sion into his power, and thus to compel us to take part
with him in his wars against Turkey and Egypt.. The
Government would, however, have been justly blamed
if they had sent such a mission ; if that mission had been
imprisoned ; if we had then been compelled to make war
against Abyssinia for their rescue. He was satisfied that
the course taken by the Government was more prudent,
and was more likely to lead to the end in view, without
involving us in any of the embarrassments which might
attend the sending out of a great. mission. It was true
that 500 stand of arms had been sent out at as a present to
the King of Abyssinia, but they would not be delivered
until the prisoners were released. The Government was
not going to war with the King of Abyssinia on account of
a consul who had disobeyed his instructions.
Lord HOUGHTON expressed his regret that Earl Rus-
sell had not accepted the offer of Dr. Beke to proceed on a
mission to Abyssinia.
The Earl of MALMESBITRY also insisted on the pro-
priety of sending out Dr. Beke as an ambassador to King
Theodore. That gentleman was a man of great courage,
knowledge, and experience, and was the most likely man
to obtain from the king, with whom he had a personal ac-
quaintance, the release of the captives. The Government
had no more right to refuse to give Dr. Beko the mission
he sought than they would prevent a brave soldier leading
a forlorn hope. The honour of England was concerned in
our obtaining the release of these men.

The subject then dropped.
CATHERINE GAUGHAN.

The Marquis of WES T3IEATH wished to inquire of
her Majesty's Government—it being true that Sub-inspec-
tor Mark Burke, of the Irish Constabulary, having been
convicted before a bench of magistrates in Ireland, in tho
month of February last, of a gross neglect of his duty, and
in violation of his oath, in a remarkable case of cruelty
and oppression inflicted on a poor female named Cathe-
rine Gaughan, and his misconduct having been laid before
the Irish Administration for judgment thereon, and the
Inspector-General of the Irish Constabulary having in his
turn condemned the said Mark Burke, alleging against
him that ho had not offered a word in his defence indicating,
he added, that the accused knew how censurable his con-
duct had been—how it is, and at whose suggestion and in-
fluence it is, that the said Mark Burke is retained in his
pay and allowances and in the public service ?
Earl GRANVILLE said that Sub-Inspector Burke had
lately sent in his resignation. He had been nearly 41 years
in the service, and had acted with perfect fidelity up to the
present time, although no doubt ho had been guilty of a
certain degree of negligence in the case of Catherine
Gaughan, for which he had been censured, and for which
ho would have been removed from Ballisodare had he not
become ill. As he had already said, lie had since sent in
his resignation.
INDIAN ARMY.

The Earl of LONGFORD inquired whether it was the
intention that the royal commissioners recently appointed
to inquire into certain matters connected with the Indian
army should be empowered to indicate tho nature of the
alterations which in their opinion would be desirable and
practicable in the existing system.
Lord DUFFERIN replied that there was no such inten-
tion with reference to the powers of the commission.
CONVOCATION.

The ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY asked the Lord
President of the Council whether it was the intention of
her Majesty's Government to recommend her Majesty to
grant to the prelates and clergy of the Church in Ireland
the like opportunity as had been granted to the province
of Canterbury, of amending or repealing the 16th canon of
1634, which was identical with the 29th English canon.
Earl GRANVILLE replied that the Government, while
desirous that the closest union should prevail between the
Church in Ireland and the Church in this country, did not,
as at present advised, see their way towards reviving Con-
vocation in Ireland.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY thought it would be very
desirable that some clear legal statement should be made as
to what were the real powers of Convocation.
Their lordships adjourned at 20 minutes to seven o'clock
to five o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday).