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

PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented against the Poor-law
Act, in favour of the adoption of special officers for the
registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in Ireland,
for an amendment of the Grand Jury Law, against the
Highways Bill, &c.

THE ALLEGED CHALLENGE OF THE SPEAKER
TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR TO A RIFLE

MATCH.

Mr. B. OSBORNE said—l have a question to ask you,
Sir (addressing the Speaker), in reference to what was
stated to have taken place in the Upper House last evening.
According to that statement it appears that a challenge
was sent from the members of this house to the members of
the other house to meet them in a rifle contest, and you,
Sir, were described as having sent a personal challenge to
the Lord Chancellor. (Laughter.)
Lora ELCHO said that he thought he could explain the
matter satisfactorily, and at the same time thought that
the subject should not have been brought forward. He
had received a letter from the right hon. gentleman the
Speaker, expressing his surprise at the statement of the
Lord Chancellor, that he had received a challenge
from him (the Speaker), and stating that he was engaged in
reading a paper when a question was put to him on the
matter of the contest between the members of the two
houses. He gave a hurried answer which had been misin-
terpreted. He had communicated its contents to
the Lord Chancellor, and he certainly should
never have thought that the subject would have
been brought before the house. (Hear, hear.) Ho regret-
ted also that anything he might have said should have been
the means of occasioning the right hon. gentleman (the
Speaker) the slightest annoyance.
The SPEAKER said—l wish to treat the matter in per-
fect good humour, and I trust the house will do the same.
(Hear, hear.) Since I occupied my present position I have
had occasion to call members to order when they alluded to
debates in the other house of Parliament. This, how-
ever, was an exceptional case, and the subject in
question might be regardedEas a message. (Laughter.) I
do regret that the house should, even for a few minutes,
have been occupied with such a matter. I disclaim hav-
ing had any intention to challenge the distinguished offi-
cers of the Crown alluded to—(hear, hear, and laughter)—
and I believe no one could be more anxious to avoid com-
mitting this house. (Hear, hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON said that no one could doubt for
a moment the last statement of the right hon. gentleman,
and he hoped there never would be any more serious colli-
sion between the two houses than would arise from the
challenge of the Speaker to the Lord Chancellor. (Loud
laughter.)
TREATIES WITH CANADA.

Mr. FITZGERALD asked her Majesty's Government
whether they had received from her Majesty's Minister a
copy of the report of the committee of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States on the operation of recipro-
city treaties with Canada; and, whether, if such a report
had been received, there was any objection to lay it upon
the table of the house.

Mr. LAYARD said there was no objection to lay the
papers in question before the house.

FORTS AT SPITHEAD.

Mr. OSBORNE asked the Secretary of State for War
when the commissioners for inquiring into the necessity for
erecting forts at Spithead might be expected to communi-
cate their report to Parliament.
Sir G. LEWIS said that he understood that the report
of the Commissioners would be ready next week.
OCCUPATION OF MEXICO.

Sir G. BOWYER asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
what information be Majesty's Government had received
respecting the occupation of Mexico by France, and the
intentions of the French Government regarding Mexico ?
Lord PALMERSTON 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 Secretary for Foreign Affairs had no objection to lay
the papers on the subject on the table.
SEIZURE OF THE " ORWELL." _ .

Mr. C. BENTINCK asked the Under-Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that on the 3d
day of May, 1861, a tribunal at Naples decided that the
owners of the steamer Orwell were entitled to compensa-
tion from the Italian Government for the seizure of their
vessel by the Garibaldians ; and whether he would forth-
with lay u pon the table a copy of the judgment of that tri-
Mr. LAYARD said ho was not aware that any such
.judgment had been pronounced, but ho would make inqui-
ries.