The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-28 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition
from Sir Culling Eardley, complaining of the expulsion
of Dissenters from the University of Oxford.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition
from Bradford (College Chapel), in favour of closing pub-
lic-houses on the Sabbath.

WAR WITH RUSSIA.
HER MAJESTY'S MESSAGE.

The Earl of ABERDEEN rose, and amidst cries of
"order " advanced to the table, and laying a paper upon
it, simply said, "My lords, a Message from the Queen."
The Clerk immediately carried it to the Lord Chan-
cellor.

The LORD CHANCELLOR rising, but not stepping
to the side of the woolsack as when addressing their lord-
ships, proceeded to read, in clear and emphatic tones,
amidst the most perfect silence, the following Message
of her gracious Majesty :

"VICTORIA REGINA !
"Her Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House
of Lords, that the negociations in which her Majesty, in
concert with her allies, has for-some time past been en-
gaged with his Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias,
have terminated, and that her Majesty feels bound to
afford active assistance to her ally the Sultan against
unprovoked aggression.
" Her Majesty has given directions for laying before
the House of Lords copies of such papers, in addition
to those already communicated to Parliament, as will
afford the fullest information with regard to the subject
of these negociations.
" It is a consolation to her Majesty to reflect that
no endeavours have been wanting on her part to pre-
serve to her subjects the blessings of peace.
"Her Majesty's just expectations have been disap-
, pointed ; and her Majesty relies with confidence upon
the zeal and devotion of the House of Lords, and on
the exertions of her brave and loyal subjects, to sup-
port her in her determination to employ the power and
resources of the nation to protect the dominions of the
Sultan against the encroachments of Russia."
The address having been again read by the Clerk at
the table,

The Earl of CLARENDON immediately rose and
said—My lords, I beg to give notice that on Friday
next I shall move that her Majesty's gracious message
be taken into consideration.

The Earl of DERBY—I only rise for the purpose of
saying that, as the noble earl has given notice of his
intention to move on Friday that the gracious message
of her Majesty be taken into consideration, I feel quite
sure your lordships will unanimously agree with me
that this is not the time to say a single word with re-
gard U. the merits of the great and important question
which it involves. (Hear.) On Friday next, I pre-
sume that, in moving an answer to that address, the
noble earl (the Earl of Clarendon), or the noble earl at
the head of the Government, will take an opportunity
of stating to the house fully, not only the causes which
have led to the unfortunate disruption of amicable re-
lations with Russia, with which we are particularly
acquainted, but also the precise objects which we have
in view in entering on this war, the objects we seek to
attain by it, and if there are any conventions or obliga-
tions into which we have entered with France or
the Porte—the nature of those obligations. ([Tear,
hear.) I conclude, if such a convention has been agreed
upon, it will be among those papers which her Majesty's
gracious message holds out the expectation will , be
laid before this house. I shall only express my earnest
anxiety that there is no truth in the report which
has been circulated during the past few days, to
the effect that in that convention there are ar-
ticles between us and France and the Porte of a na-
ture to establish a protectorate over a portion of the
Turkish subjects, and involving the very same principle
which has been considered so objectionable on the part
of Russia. (Hear.) I will not say a word more at the
present moment. On Friday her Majesty's Ministers
will, no doubt, be prepared to make such a statement as
they think fit, in moving an address in answer to her
Majesty's gracious message, and with regard to the terms
of which it is not necessary for me to say that her Ma-
jesty will not rely in vain ou the support of all classes
and all denominations of her subjects—(cheers)—in the
support of the honour of this country in a just and
necessary war, and in taking such vigorous measures as
may best tend to bring that war to a speedy and honour-
able conclusion. (Loud cheers.)
Earl GREY—I will only add that I trust in the ad-
dress, which I presume will be moved in answer to the
message received from her Majesty, care will be taken
so to draw it that there may be no difficulty in its being
unanimously adopted— (hear)—because, whatever may
be the opinions of your lordships as to the past, we must
all desire that this address should be agreed to unani-
mously. (Hear.) I hope, therefore, the address will be
so framed, and it can easily be done, as not to express
any opinion which any noble lord may find it difficult to
concur in, on the ground that the war might have been
avoided either on the one hand by abstaining from all
interference, or on the other hand by different conduct
of the Government displaying greater vigour. (Hear.)
I hope no difficulty will be interposed in the way of your
lordships feeling altogether satisfied as to the course of
proceeding in complying with the address which will be
proposed on Friday. (Cheers.)

The Earl of ABERDEEN half rose from his seat and
bowed assent to the noble earl. .

The subject then dropped.

POOR REMOVAL BILL.

The Earl of DERBY wished to call the attention of
the noble earl opposite to a statement made in that house
some three weeks a,zo upon a question as to the settle-
ment and removal of paupers. On that occasion he
asked the noble earl whether it was intended to include
in that measure any provision pith reference to Scotch
and Irish paupers. The noble earl then said it was not
intended to include any provision in the bill with refer-
ence to Scotch and Irish paupers ; and that the question
was one upon which the Government wanted more in-
formation and inquiry. He had learnt from the jour-
nals of the other house that the second reading of the
bill was moved on Friday last, and from the reports in
the public papers it appeared that a change had taken
place in the opinion of the Government since the period
when the noble earl gave him the answer to which he had
referred ; for, on the second reading of the bill it was
suddenly announced that the question of the Scotch and
Irish paupers would be made the subject of a separate
measure, and that it was intended to proceed with
that measure. As to the Scotch and Irish paupers,
he had nothing to do with what the House of Com-
mons might think right in legislating on the sub-
ject; but he had to do with the answer which the
noble earl gave him, that it was necessary to have
a great deal more information on the subject. He
would not believe the report that the intentions of
' the Government had been suddenly altered in conse-
quence of the representations of a large body of Irish
representatives that they were unable to support the
bill as it stood, unless the Government adopted some
measure with reference to Irish paupers, because such
a course, if pursued, would be very derogatory to the
Government ; but he wished to ask if it was the inten-
tion of the Government to introduce a measure as to
the Scotch and Irish paupers ; and if so, whether the
noble earl would lay before the house the result of any
inquiries which may have been made, and the amount
of information which had been obtained on the subject
within the last fortnight.
The Earl of ABERDEEN said that in reply to the
question of the noble earl, ho had to state that the bill
in the other house would be proceeded with. Ho ad-
mitted that it would necessarily involve the considera-
tion of the removal of Scotch and Irish paupers, but ho
said it was not intended to include the consideration of
that part of the subject in the present bill, and to that
statement ho still adhered. What might be the course
pursued with regard to the adopting any measure
affecting Scotch and Irish paupers he was not pre-
pared to say, but he believed it would involve the
necessity of dealing with that subject.
The Marquis of SALISBURY hoped the Govern-
ment would lose no time in bringing the other measure
before the house.
METROPOLITAN SMOKE CONSUMPTION
ACT.

Lord REDESDALE, pursuant to notice, rose to ask
the First Lord of the Treasury whether any steps have
been taken to give notice to the occupiers of premises in
this metropolis in which there are any furnaces which
are required, under the act of last session, to consume
the smoke arising from the same, from and after the Ist
day of August next, and to the owners of all steam-boats
on the river above London-bridge, that informations
will be laid for the recovery of penalties against all such
as shall not from and after the day appointed comply
with the requirements of the said act ; and to move for
copy of any orders and directions which have been
issued by the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment to the commissioners of police for the metropolitan
district, and to the commissioners of police for the city
of London and the liberties thereof, in accordance with
the provisions of an act passed in the last session of Par-
liament, to abate the nuisance arising from the smoke of
furnaces in the metropolis,
into and from steam-vessels above
London-bridge. The subject was one of great import-
ance. The act came operation on the Ist of August
next, and he wished all parties interested to be fully
aware that the penalties to which they would be liable
would be sued for, if they did not comply with the pro-
visions of the act. Sufficient notice had been given to
them, and they had yet plenty of time to make the ne-
cessarY 'arrangements. (Hear,' hear.) '
The Earl of ABERDEEN said the Commissioners of

Police had directed a return to be made of all places
in which furnaces were used, the nature of the business,
and the names of the owners, and no doubt notice would
be given to the parties previous to the act coming into
operation.
METROPOLITAN INTERMENTS.

The Bishop of LONDON, pursuant to notice, rose to
present a petition from the clergymen of 16 parishes in
the north and north-east of the metropolis, complaining
of the evils which had resulted from the recent measure
respecting metropolitan interments. The right rev, pre-
late spoke in a very low tone of voice, and was scarcely
audible in the gallery. The act of the 14th and 15th of
her present Majesty vested in the Board of Health con-
siderable powers—they were empowered to close such
graveyards as they might think necessary, and to pur-
chase new burial grounds and make general regulations.
He was firmly persuaded that if that act had been car-
ried out, it would have obviated all the existing evils ;
but the Board of Health were not cordially seconded by
the Government, and when they proceeded to carry the
powers given them into effect, they met with nothing
but discouragement, and the act, remained, therefore, a
dead letter. A number of burial grounds had now been
closed by a peremptory order from the Secretary of State,
and the larger parishes had taken steps to provide ceme-
teries, but a great number of parishes had not taken
any means to provide for the interment of the dead,
and the consequences were very serious. The peti-
tioners also complained that the closing of the grave-
yards had taken from them at least one-third of their
incomes. He knew the answer would be that that the
public health required it, and therefore they must not
ask for compensation; but the emoluments which the
Clergy derived from burial fees were as much their
right as tithes. The rector of St. Giles-in-the-Fields,
who had given up a situation of more than 9001. a-year
to take that living would lose 7001. a-year by the opera-
tion of the recent measure. But it was a hardship not
only on the cler, but on their parishioners, in more
ways than one. The expense of providing decent burial
for their relatives were so greatly increased that in
many cases persons were obliged to apply for assistance
to the parish ; and in others they were obliged to wait
for a week or ten days, or even a fortnight, before they
could scrape together the money to bury their dead.
(Hoar.) By the present system the poor were deprived
of their common law right of burial, and not only was it
against the common law to deprive them of the right of
burial, but it was against the statute law also. When
the Board of Health did him the honour to !consult him
on this question, he thought, and he still thought, that
this public question ought to have been taken up by
Government, and if it had, he had no doubt that many
of the evils that had resulted might have been obviated.
The Earl of ABERDEEN said the statement made by
his right rev. friend certainly called for some notice. The
burial grounds had been closed because public feeling
against them had risen to such a state that that was ne-
cessary ; but in doing so, it was clear that great injus-
tice had been committed, and great hardship upon nu-
merous classes of people. He therefore cordially con-
curred with his right rev. friend in feeling that there
was a necessity for some intervention on the part of the
legislature.

The Earl of SHAFTESBITRY said he wished to im-
press upon Government the absolute necessity of doing
something. The clergy were deprived of fees which were
secured to them by act of Parliament, which deprived
them of Easter dues and small tithes. One incumbent
had had his income reduced from 9501. to 2001. a year,
with a population of from 15,000 to 20,000. That was
one view of the case. Another view was that it severely
affected the great mass of the poor. It was well known
that under the old system the poor refrained from bury-
ir°, the bodies of their relatives for several days, but
under the new system instances were known of the bodies
having been kept 10, 12, 14, and even 18 days without
interment, and that in a room in which 3 or 9 persons
lived. If this were allowed to go on, he did not hesitate
' to say that they would be allowed the construction of
10,000 fever nests in different parts of London. He
trusted, therefore, that Government would take into their
consideration the necessity of taking prompt measures
to remedy these evils.
Earl GREY suggested that the matter should be re-
ferred to a select committee.
The Earl cf HARROWBY said they should not only

provide places for burying the dead, but for depositing
the dead before burial. It was of the highest import-
ance that corpses should be removed out of these
wretched rooms as soon as possible. They could not
provide adequate lodgings for all the people, but they
could at any rate do something to enable corpses to be
removed from crowded rooms shortly after death. Go-
vernment ought not to be deterred by the cuckoo cry
against centralisation. They ought in this great metro-
pubs to have some centre of action. They could not
afford to leave things in their present state, leaving the
burial of the dead and the supply of water to a scram-
ble between different parties. He hoped that this ques-
tion would receive the most vigorous consideration of
Government. In the measure which was passed two
years ago everything was considered and provided for
except the funds, but when the Board of Health applied
to Parliament to giPe life to the machinery which it had
constructed, the apprehension of cholera had passed off
and Parliament refused. He, therefore, called upon
Government into look to the question.
The Bishop of LONDON said, with reference to the
suggestion of the noble earl below him (Earl Grey) it
had been his intention to move a select committee, but
he felt so convinced that after making the statement he
had made, Government would take up the matter that
he did not think it necessary, and what he had heard
from the noble earl at the head of the Government jus-
' tified him in that expectation. After the assurance
which the noble earl had given he felt perfectly satisfied
to leave the matter in his hands.

SECOND COMMON LAW PROCEDURE ACT.
The select committee on this act was named.
VALUATION (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT

BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
THE FORAGE CONTRACT.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE presented a petition from
Messrs. Sturgeon and Sons denying the charges of fraud
alleged agqinst them, and praying for inquiry.
The Earl of YAR BOROUGH presented a petition
from Hull in favour of preventing the sale of intoxicating
liquor on Sundays.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—( YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BILLS.

The Kingston-upon-Hull Dock Bill, and the Liver•
pool Sanitary and other Local Acts Bill, were read a
third time and passed.
The following bills were considered and agreed to :
Hereford Improvement Bill, Bury Port Bill, Rams-
bottom Gas Bill, and the Southport Waterworks Bill.
On the motion that the South Sea Company Bill be
considered, _ _

Mr. S. FOLLETT took exception to the bill.
Mr. Green, Mr. Bonverie, and Mr. Cardwell sup-
ported the bill, which was agreed to after some further
discussion.

WAR WITH RUSSIA.
HER MAJESTY'S MESSAGE.

Precisely at five o'clock Lord J. RUSSELL, brought
up the following most gracious Message from her Majesty,
which was received with the most profound silence and
respect, the whole of the members present, with one or
two exceptions, removing their hats.
The Royal Message having been placed in the hands
of the SPEAIiEn, the right honourable gentleman pro-
ceeded to read it as follows :
"VI CTORIA REGINA !

"Her Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House
of Commons that the negotiations in which her Ma-
jesty, in concert with her allies, has for some
time past been engaged with his Majesty the Emperor
of All the Eussias have terminated, and her Majesty
feels 'bound to afford active assistance to her ally the Sul-
tan against unprovoked aggression.
_ _

"Hec Majesty has givenlrections for laying before the
House of Commons copies of such papers, in addition
to those already communicated to Parliament, as will
afford the fullest information with regard to the subject
of these negotiations.

" It is a consolation for her Majesty to reflect that no
endeavours have been wanting on her part to preserve to
her subjects the blessings of peace.
" Her Majesty's just expectations in that respect have
been disappointed ; and her Majesty relies with confi-
dence upon the zeal and devotion of her faithful Cora.
mons, and on the exertions of her brave and loyal sub-
jects, to support her in her determination to employ the
powers and resources of the nation to protect the
dominions of the Sultan against the encroachments of
Russia."

Lord J. RUSSELL then rose and said—Sir,
I rise to
move that her Majesty's must gracious
message be taken
into consideration onFriday next.
The motion was, as a matter of course, at once agreed
to.

INCOME TAX.
Sir J. PAKINGTON gave note that on the third
reading. of the Income Tax Bill he should call the atten-
tion of the house to the manner in which the Govern-
ment proposed to raise the means for carrying on the

war.
In reply to Mr. WALPOLE,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that, as regarded the Irish
and Scotch poor, be expected his noble friend (Lord
Palmerston) would be in the house in a few minutes, and
would answer any questions for himself. He considered
there was no reason to postpone the second reading of
the Settlement and Removal Bill, though the Govern-
ment were not at present disposed to state what specific
measure they intended to introduce respecting the Irish
and Scotch poor in England.
. In reply to Sir F. THESIGER.
Lord J. RUSSELL said he would consider between
now and Friday whether he should postpone till after
Easter the further consideration of the Oaths Bill.
SETTLEMENT AND REMOVAL BILL.
On the order of the day for the second reading of the
above bill,
Mr. PACKE moved that the second reading be de-
ferred till after Easter—viz, till the 28th of April.
On the question being put there were 'loud cries of
" divide," in the midst of which
Mr. WALPOLE rose. He contended that the