The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-15 00:00:00

THE HARBOUR OF CHARLESTON.

Earl STANHOPE said he wished to ask a question of
the noble earl the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, relative to
a rumour which had reached this country, to the effect that
a second squadron of six ships had been despatched
by the American Government, filled with stones,
to be sunk at the mouth of Charleston
harbour. It had also been reported that a third squadron
vim! in progress of equipment for the same purpose. What
Iv) wished to know was whether the Government had re-
ceived any information bearing on the subject. He had
hoped that the despatch of the noble earl had settled the
subject, as he had acted in a manner that entitled him to the
unqualified praise of the country. He could not think the
destruction of a commercial harbour like that of Charles-
ton could be looked upon as an act of war, on the contrary
it could only be looked upon as a war against the bounty
of Providence. He should also like to know whether
any communication had been received on the subject from
the French, and whether, if any information had been re-
ceived, what steps it was proposed to take ?
Earl RUSSELL said he had not received any official
communication on the subject, and therefore he could only
think the rumour was untrue.. Charleston harbour could
only be looked on as a commercial harbour, and he consi-
sidered it would be most barbarous to destroy it. The replies
of the American Government to representations which had
been made to it was that the stone fleet was looked upon as
an aid to the blockade, and not for the purpose of destroy-
ing the harbour. With respect to the French Government,
that Government took the same view of the eubject as that
of her Majesty, and had remonstrated against any act
which would lead to the destruction of the harbour. He

ould not say whether any despatches had been received on
the subject by the French Government.

THE THEATRES IN PASSION WEEK.

Viscount DUNGANNON called tie attention of their

ordships to the licenses accorded by the Lord Chamber-
lain to the various theatres in the metropolis having this
year been granted with the omission of the usual clause
prohibiting their being opened on Ash Wednesday and
during Passion NV eek. He thought a great part of the
religious public would highly disapprove of the alteration.
He hoped. that, on further consideration, the resolution
would be rescinded, as it could but act very detrimentally
if it was allowed to remain in force.

Lord SYDNEY said he was glad of the opportunity of
explaining this point, as a great deal of misrepresentation
existed on the subject. The alteration in the licenses had
been made in consequence of representations that had been
made to him by the metropolitan managers of the theatres,
and he confessed he could not see why the Haymarket
Theatre should remain closed in Passion Week, while
the Casinos and the Alhambra were allowed to remain open.
If it was thought desirable that. the theatres should be
closed on Passion Week, then all places of amusement
ought to be treated in the same way. There was no in-
tention of offending the religious feeling of any party, and
he did not anticipate any bad results would follow the
change.
The subject then dropped.
OUTRAGE IN IRELAND.

Lord CLEMENTS moved for a copy of the report of the
lock-keepers of the river Shannon of the height of the water
in the month of August, 1859, 1860, and 1861; and also
moved for copies of the report made by the lock-
keepers at Roosky Lock of an outrage committed
by an unlawful assembly of persons, and of the injury com-
mitted on the public property of the river Shannon, at
Roosky, on or about the 16th day of August, 1861;
also the reports of the police respecting the above
outrage, as well as any explanations made to account for
the non-interference of the police to prevent injury being
committed to the public property,
Earl GRANVILLE said there would be no objection to
the production of the papers.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr, J. BRAMLEY-MOORE took the oaths and his sea
for Lincoln.

PETITIONS.
Several petitions were presented against the Revised
Code of Education ; fora Reduction in Life Assurances ;
against this country taking any part in the Russo. D utch
Loan until the wrongs of Poland were redressed, &c.

British and French fishing boats captured for infringements
of the Convention of 1843 ?

Mr. M. GIBSON said that there was no comp',,"nt with
regard to the manner in which this country acted in regard
to the Convention; and the French Government had been

communicated with on the subject, and the comixtunication
had been received in a friendly manner. (Hoer, hear.)
FORTIFICATION OF THE BRISTOL CIIAITNEL.
Mr, DILLWYN asked the Secretary of State for War
whether there is any truth in the report that it is the in-
tention of the Government to construct fortifications on the

islands of the atop and flat Holmes,and the adjacent coasts,
for the protection of the upper part of the Bristol Channel.?
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that during the misunderstanding
with America it had been decided to erect forts on the
islands mentioned by the hon. member.
CONVENTION BETWEEN SPAIN AND MOROCO.
Sir S. NORTHCOTE asked the Under Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Government was in
possession of a copy of any convention which had been
concluded between the Government of Spain and that of

Morocco, whereby one-half of the receipts of the Moorish
customhouses has been pledged to the Government of Spain;
and, if so, whether they will lay the same before thie house ?
Mr. LAYARD said that Government were in possession
of papers on the subject, but could not at present lay them
on the table.

Mr. CHILDERS asked the First Commissioner of Works

what steps Government proposed to take for rendering the
International Exhibition more accessible, and whether any

of them will require the approval of Parliament.
Mr. COWPER said, that no doubt the approaches to the

exhibition were too narrow for the convenienee of the number

of persons that might be expected when it was opened. The
subject was under the consideration of Government, and
steps would be adopted to render the means of approaching
the Exhibition moie commodious, if possible.

THE NEW NATIONAL GALLERY.
Lord ELCMO asked the First Commissioner of Works,
whether there was any truth in the report that plans for a
new National Gallery to be erected on the Burlington
House site have been prepared, and that a vote for its

erection is to be proposed to Parliament in the present
Session : whether, in the event of such being the intentions

of Government, the plans and elevation of the proposed
building will be exhibited before any vote is proposed to
Parliament ; and, whether any decision had been corps to
as to the purpose to which the present National Gallery is
to be devoted.
Mr. COWPER said that there was no doubt the Na-

tional Gallery, at Trafalgar-square, would shortly be un-
able to contain all the collections of national pictures, and
of course means must be devised for their reception else-
where.

Lord ELCHO asked whether, in the event of plans being
submitted, they would be laid before Parliament before
being carried out.
Mr. COWPER—That is part of the subject on which
the Government have not come to any decision.