The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-09 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Mr. Musa presented petitions from Indian officers
praying for a redress of their grievances.
Colonel SYKES also presented petitions to the same
effect, and from shipowners and merchants of Aberdeen in
favour of an improvement in tho condition of officers em-
ployed in the Customs.

Mr. EWART presented a petition from Liverpool against
he duty on fire insurance.

Mr. MILLER presented a petition from the inhabitants
of Leith, praying for an inquiry into the condition of per-
sons employed in mines.

Several petitions were also presented from different parts
of the country in favour of a repeal of the malt tax, for the
utilization of sewage, &c.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Lord H. LENNOX gave notice that he would move a
resolution to the effect that it would be desirable to place
the management of the British Museum under the con-
trol of a minister of the Crown. (Hear, hear.)
VESSELS ON THE HALIFAX AND BOSTON LINE.
Mr. BAXTER asked if the British and North American
Royal Mail Steam Ship Company were employing vessels
17 years old on the Halifax and Boston line ; and if, at the
expiry of the contract with that company, the Government
intended making new arrangements.
Mr. F. PEEL said that as far as he could understand
there were two vessels 17 years old on the line between
Liverpool, Boston, and Halifax, but he did not hear of any
complaint as to delay. The contract would not expire until
1867, and the committee which sat in 1860 did not think
it necessary to recommend any subsidy for the postal ser-
vice. -

THE ENCLOSURE IN LEICESTER-SQUARE.
Mr. DAWSON asked whether, in the present state of
the enclosure in Leicester-square, it was in the power of
the Government either to remove or repair the mutilated
statue, and otherwise improve the dilapidated condition of
the space in the centre of the square ?
Mr. COWPER said if the matter rested with the Govern-
ment the statue would not be allowed to remain in its
present disgraceful condition, but the square was the pro-
perty of private individuals who did not do what he
considered was their duty in respect to this subject. There
was an act passed last session called the Garden Enclosure
Act, which would come into operation this session,
and would provide a remedy for the present
state of Leicester-square. The Metropolitan Board of
Works had given the owners of the property in question
the necessary notices, and at its expiration would take the
proper steps in reference to this subject.
THE BUDGET.

In reply to Mr. WHITE,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he
was not in a position to state when he proposed to bring
forward his financial statement, or whether it would be
made before or after Easter. He would endeavour to give
his hon. friend some more precise information if he re-
peated his question.
RELATIONS WITH BRAZIL.
Mr J. WHITE asked whether, with a view to re-estab-
lish friendly relations with Brazil, it was the Mention of
Government to bring in a bill this session for the repeal of
the " Aberdeen Act "?
Lord PALMERSTON said it was not the intention of
Government to bring in any such bill as that alluded to,
because if that act were repealed it would lead to the slave
trade being resumed between Africa and Brazil to an un-
limited extent. It would be impossible to prevent that, as
was shown in regard to Cuba. However, negotiations had
been entered into with the Portuguese Government in
order to establish friendly relations between Brazil and
Great Britain. (Hear, hear.)
PENSIONS TO OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF
LORDS
Mr. D. GRIFFITH asked the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer whether he had been correctly understood to
mean that the House of Lords claim the privilege of grant-
ing pensions out of the public money to their O wn officers,
as of their own authority, dm. ?
The
it w as n
oCHANCELLORtus
usual
ffor
thisof the
house
tomake
EXCHEQUER
any
ye explained
red
that
into the remuneration of the officers of the other h a
fee
fund at their disposal, out of It
w
appeared that the House of Lords hhaideh
a
they fund
calledupaid some
of their officers, but with regard to
when they were in want of funds this appearedthehouse ofm' Commons,
when
t
Some years no deman.. dheweaassemtandies osnesstihoins. house, and that
he believed would be
THE. RIVER PLATE, &c.
Mr. MAGUIRE asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether he had any objection to state to the house the sub-
stance of the information received by the English packet as
to the condition of affairs in the River Plate; and whether in-
structions had been given to the British Minister and Ad-
miral to prevent a recurrence at Montevideo of a similarly
deplorable sacrifice of life and property by the Brazilians
and insurgent forces, as the Under Secretary of State
lately mentioned had been occasioned at Paysandu, by
the same invaders of the Republic of Uruguay.
Lord PALMERSTON said that the British Admiral in

command at Montevideo had remonstrated wit
the authorities at Brazil, and suggested means
forh the protection of the property of the English, and other
foreigners residing there. He was sorry to say that the
war that was going on in the country referred to was car-
ried on in a manner that Was very repugnant to the feel-
ings of European countries ; but the Government did not
propose to interfere further than in regard to the protec-
tion of property.
THE CONFEDERATE CRUISERS.
Lord R. CECIL asked whether any communications had
been received at the Foreign-office from the American
Government demanding compensation for losses occa-
sioned to citizens of the United States by the operations
tcon:amci.ssioned by the Go-.
vofernthme Aenitaboafmtha oeCroontfheedr vesselserateStes

Mr. LAYARD said that no such communications had
been received.

Mr. BRIGHT enquired if there were any claims made
against the American Government for compensation on the
part of Englishmen for injuries which they had sustained,
during the present war.
Mr. LAYARD answered in the affirmative.
NEW WRIT.

On the motion of Col. TAYLOR, a new writ was ordered
to issue for the election of a member for the southern divi-
sion of Wilts, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Sotheron
Estcourt, through illness.