The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-22 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS--(YESTERDAY.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
The Marquis of BREADALBA.NE presented peti-
tions from the Haddington burghs, and other places in
Scotland, against the endowment of Roman Catholic
chaplains to prisons.
The Earl of CLANCARTY called attention to a case
at the last Armagh assizes, in which two men were
charged with the brutal murder of a man named Wilson,
but in consequence of a compromise on the part of the
counsel who appeared for the Crown, were only found
guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to six months'
imprisonment. He thought the case called for some ex-
planation by the Government. He gave notice that, on
this day fortnight, he should move for copies of the in-
dictment and the conviction of the two prisoners.
SEAMEN FOR THE BALTIC FLEET.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH inquired whether it
Vas true as announced in the newspapers, that the Go-
vernment intended to engage able seamen for the Baltic
fleet for a year certain ; and if so, at what wages?
The Earl of ABERDEEN was understood to reply
that the Government did propose to accept seamen for
one year's service, and at a rate of wages exactly the
same as if engaged for five years certain.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH pointed out the in-
convenience of their term of service expiring precisely at
the moment when they would be required next year,
and when they would, if again wanted, be able
to make their own terms with the Government.
He likewise complained of the coastguard on board
the fleet being paid more than the able-bodied seamen.
The Earl of ABERDEEN said the experiment was
undoubtedly a novel one, but as it had only been re-
solved upon within the last forty-eight hours, it was pre-
mature to discuss its propriety now. It was thought
that seamen would be more ready to engage for one than
five years ; but at the same time, when fairly entered
upon such service, it was not at all unlikely that
they would continue in it. The experiment, in
his opinion was well worth attempting, and he hoped it
would be more successful than the noble lord antici-
pated. (Hear, hear.)
FRAUDS UPON THE COMMISSARIAT.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH referred to a
letter in a morning journal stating that a person
who had contracted to supply hay for the cavalry horses
intended for the East, had been guilty of a gross
fraud, by filling the inside of the trusses with
shavings, rotten straw, and other materials, and in-
quired whether, if the statement were true, the Govern-
ment intended to inflict any punishment upon the
individual.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said he was sorry and
ashamed to state that the facts mentioned by the noble
earl were substantially correct, with the exception that
the fraud had been detected by the Government officers,
and not, as alleged, by the man's servant " splitting,"
and telling the truth. He was afraid the law did not
apply to the case, but he had communicated with the So-
licitor of the Treasury with reference to it ; and consider-
ing the flagrant nature of the offence, and the serious
consequences which might have resulted from it, if not
discovered, the Government would deal with the offender
'with the utmost severity which the law allowed.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH thought if the law
did not meet the case it might so be alte ed without de-
lay.
After a few words from Lord BROUGLIAIt,
'The Earl of DERBY trusted that the Government
would not hesitate to divulge the name of the party, in
(ardor that he might be laid open to public execration.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE hoped the Government
would be able to inflict upon him a more serious punish-
ment than the publication of his name.
T.he Earl of MALMESBURY also urged upon the
Government the propriety of mentioning the name of the
individual.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said the name of the
party was Sturges.
The subject then dropped.
The Valuation (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill was
. read. a second time.
The following bills were read a third time and
passed
.The Mutiny Bill, the Marine Mutiny Bill, the
Bills (1,750,0001.) Bill, the Commons Inclosure
_ ,
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY. )
The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
) The following bills were read a third time and passed ;
g(*.> L--. Liverpool Police Superannuation Fund, Scarborough
Market, Warrington Improvement and Market.
• The following bills were considered and agreed to :
Vr-V'• Kingstoia-upon-Hull Docks, Nottingham Waterworks,
.
Rossendale Waterworks.
The Sitourbridge Waterworks Bill wig fead a second
time and ordered to be committed.
On the motion for the second reading of the Canada,
' New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia Railway Bill,
• Mr. BOUVERIE moved that the bill be read a
second time this day six months.
After a brief discussion, the amendment was agreed
to and the bill thrown out.
PETITIONS.

Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE presented a petition from
Sir George Brown, praying that in the event of a public
prosecutor being appointed, he may have power to deal
with offences against joint-stock companies.
Sir J. DUKE presented a petition from one of the
city barristers against the Poor Removal Bill.
Mr. SPOONER presented several petitions from
Warwickshire against the alteration of Oaths' Bill.
Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from 4,180
inhabitants of Sheffield against the Medical Registration
Bill.