The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-19 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-(YESTERDAY.)

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

The Earl of POWIS presented a petition from the
poor law -union of Cardigan, against the Poor Law Re-
moval Bill.

The Earl of DERBY presented petitions, praying for
the inspection of nunneries.
Lord BROUGHAM presented petitions praying for
the prevention of the sale of spirituous liquors on Sun-
day. The noble and learned lord also asked the Lord
Chancellor whether had any objection to lay upon the
table a copy of the instructions issued to the commis-
sioners for consolidating the statute law.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the instruc-
tions of txe commissioners had not yet been reduced to
writing.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.
The Earl of MALIVIESBURY asked the noble earl
at the head of foreign affairs, whether her Majesty's
Government intended to answer the two circular notes
in the same public manner as they had been given to the
world, and in the same manner as the French Govern-
ment had answered them. He himself did not agree in
the premises of those notes, but he thought the time was
now come when the dignity of this country demanded that
they should be answered, for if longer delay took place,
the silence of her Majesty's Government might be con-
strued into a sign of their being unable or a:raid to
answer them.

The Earl of CLARENDON said her Majesty's Go-
vernment had only delayed the discussion of this ques-
tion from a consideration of interests of peace. The
mode of producing and affording information was very
different in Russia and France to what it was in this
country. In these countries the Government could pro-
duce information in what manner it pleased, but here it was
the custom to lay all the papers bearing upon the subject
at once before Parliament. That would shortly be done.
Of course it was not for him to speak with regard to the
ability of her Majesty's Government to answer the Rus-
sian circular, but as to there being any fear of answering
them he could assure the noble earl that no such appre-
hension rested either in his own mind or in that of her
Majesty's Government. No regular answer had yet been
sent to the first note because the greater part of it al-
luded to proceedings which originated with the French
Embassy with regard to the Holy Places. The points
of it however had been considered fn substance, though
not in the form of a regular answer. With regard to
the second circular note, which was one of a different
character, and which certainly did require a regular
answer, it was answered immediately, and the answer
was sent to St. Petersburgh. That answer was entirely
in conformity with the note of the French Government,
as he might add the whole of our proceedings had been.

The Earl of MALIVIESBURY said the circular notes
being an appeal to all Europe, and intended to be read
by every person in Europe who could read, they could
scarcely be considered in the light of private correspond-
ence, and he could not help regretting that her Ma-
jesty's Government had not made a public answer to
them.

Lord BEAUMONT wished to know when her Ma-
jesty's Government thought they would be able to lay
their papers before Parliament. The utmost publicity
was given to the actions and policy of Russia, while the
actions and policy of this country were enveloped in
mystery. Sure, it was said that negotiations were still
going on, but Russia was acting as if no negotiations
whatever was on foot.

The Earl of CLARENDON said that it had been no
small sacrifice to the Government to ask for a postpone-
ment of the discussions on this subject, or to delay laying
the papers on the table. Her Majesty's Government felt
that Parliament had a right to discuss the subject in the
fullest manner, and to be furnished with the fullest infor-
information. A few days, a very few days, would be
sufficient to show whether the negociations going on
would succeed ; and whether they succeeded or not, the
whole papers should be laid upon the table. (Cheers.)
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE asked whether
the Government had received any information as to the
Russians having assumed the civil government of
Moldavia ?

The Earl of CLARENDON said the Government
bad received no information of the kind, but he had
every reason to believe that the Hospodar was still in
possession of the administration of the country.
The subject then dropped.