The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-13 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

The Earl of DERBY read the article in the St. Peters-
urg Journal, recently copied into the different daily
journals, justifying the conduct of Russia with regard to
Turkey, disavowing that she had any ideas of conquest,
and stating that, the Czar had always most unreservedly
communicated his views and intentions to Sir H. Sey-
mour. The noble earl also referred to the comments of
the Tins upon the article, observing that this news-
paper had been intrusted during the last few weeks with
secrets which ought to be known to none hut the
Cabinet, and had moreover obtained p)ssession of
papers which had been 'withheld from Parliament, and
apparently with the authority of the Government
to make their contents public—(hear, hear)—and
that it must, therefore, be supposed that these com-
ments had a kind of °Cal character. Ths Times,
after stating that propositions had been made by
Russia to Lord J. Russell, when he was in the Fo-
reign-office, for the partition of Turkey, went on to en-
quire "what answer did the Emperor get from his lord-
ship," and added—"We confidently reply that he was met
with an indignant refusal on the part of the British Go•
vernnient." Now, he (the Eid of Derby) wished to know
how the Times knew anything about such a matter,
which the Government •ha I, from a sense of honour,
deemed it their duty to withhold from the knowledge of
Parliament.

(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Brighton, Hove, and Preston Waterworks, the
Hastings and St. Leonard's Gas, the London Life Asso-
ciation, the Middleton Gas, and the Radcliffe and Pil-
kington Gas Bills, were read a third time and passed.

On the motion that th 9 East London W.iterworks
Bill be con,litered,
Mr. A. PELLATT moved that the bill be read a
third tima this day six months.
Mr. JOHN M'GREGOR spoke in support of the
bill, and. against Mr. A. Pellatt's amendment.
Lord SEYMOUR thought the house would neither
act consistently with reason or with justice, if they should
let this bill go on.
Mr. ALCOCK spoke in favour of the bill going into
committee.

Lord PALMERSTON said he had had communica-
tions both with parties in favour of the bill, and those
against it, and on the whole he was against the second
reading of the bill. (Rear, hear.)
After a few words from Mr. Bright. Mr. French, and
Lord D. Stuart, the house divided, when the numbers
appeared—
For the second reading ll4
For the amendment 143
Majority against the bill —29
PETITIONS.
Mr. H. W. WICKHAM presented the following pe-
titions :—From the congregation of Wesleyan Metholists
worshipping in Richmond-terrace Chapel, Bradford,
Yorkshire, praying that public-houses and beer-shops
may be closed the whole of Sundays, except to lodgers
and bona fide travellers ; from the congregation wor-
shipping at the Centenery Wesleyan Chapel, and the gib-
gate Wesleyan Chapel, Bradford, Yorkshire ; also from
the congregation worshipping at 'the Wesleyan Chapel,
Low Moor, Yorkshire, praying that the sale of intoxi-
cating liquors may be prohibited during the whole of
Sunday.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition-from Mr. Urqu-
hart, stating that he was formerly employed as secretary
of embassy in Turkey for many years, and he believes
that Turkey is able to defend herself against any hostile
attacks of Russia, and believing that an internal re volution
will arise in Turkey consequent upon our inteferanca in
the quarrel of Turkey and Russia, and praying the
house to withdraw our amblasad or from Constantinople
and our fleet from the Black Sea. (Loud laughter.)
The hon. member also presented a petition from an in-
dividual named William Peplow, Stafford, praying the
house to order an inquiry into the secret diplomatic cor-
respondence between this country and Russia.