The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-20 00:00:00

in this country incomplete, from other nations besides
Russia. For instance, there was a contract from Denmark
for half a million of machinery, which had yet to be
supplied, while there was a firm at present that was in the
habit of forwarding coastwise machinery and implements
to be -used for agricultural purposes only, and si,ce it was
just possible that large bodies of persons might be thrown
out of employment if this proclamation was not precisely
understood, he wished to ask the noble lord what was the real
construction to be put upon it. He wished to know if the
proclamation was to be construed according to the broad
meaning of its words, or did the Government intend to
issue any instructions by which the trade might still be
carried on and left as free as possible. (Hear, hear.) The
house should understand that there were other countries
that we traded with besides Russia, and if this proclamation
was strictly enforced, our foreign customers would be
driven to America or Belgium. (Hear.)
Mr. WILSON said, as this was purely a Treasury ques-
tion, and as he was cognisant of all the arrangements that
had teken place with reference to this proclamation, perhaps
ho might be allowed to answer the question. Now, the cir-
cumstance which gave rise to the issue of this proclamation
was this: last week the Commissioners of Customs reported
to the Treasury that large quantities of ammunition had
b.3en entered outwards for Odessa, and having been so
entered outwards, the Commissioners thought it to
be their duty to call the attention of the Govern-
ment to the fact. (Loud cheers.) It then became
the duty to consider what powers the law had armed them
with in order to prevent such an exportation being effected.
and they were advised by the Solicitor of Customs that the
only course that was properly open to them was to avail
themselves of a clause in the act of Parliament passed last
session for the consolidation of the Customs Acts. This
clause empowered the Government to prohibit the expor-
tation of arms and ammunition, when the exigencies of
the State required such a step, and accordingly this pro-
clamation had been issued to meet the case ho had already
eferred to ; but where it could be shown that the
articles to be exported were not intended for the
enemy, or to be used in any way against
our allies or the cause in which we were engaged, the
Commissioner of Customs had received permission to let
them pass. An order in council would accordingly be
issued to-mor, ow, authorising to pass all shipments where
there was no strong, clear, and positive reason for suppos-
ing that they were intended for the enemy. (Cheers.)
Mr. BRIGHT remarked then that the proclamation did
not absolutely apply to all exportations to the ports of
Russia. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WILSON observed that was not what he said.
But a case in point would explain what he meant to con-
vey. A vessel—the Gem—had been entered outwards for
Alexandria with a large quantity of machinery on
board, such as was generally used for propelling steam
vessels, and upon the Commissioners of Customs calling
upon the agent of the ship to give some proof that
the machinery was not intended for the use of the
enemy, he produced a letter showing that the machi-
nery was intended for the use of, and had been ordered
by the Pacha of Egypt. The commissioner upon receiving
that proof had not the slightest hesitation in immediately
allowing the shipment to take place, and this would be the
course followed with reference to all future shipments and
wherever it could be satisfactorily shown that the ship-
ments were not for the use of the enemy they would be
allowed to pass. (Cheers.)
Sir J. WALSH wished to ask the noble lord the mem-
ber for the city of London if the Government had re-
ceived any official information of an outbreak amongst
the Greek subjects of the Ottoman empire, and if so, had
they any reason to suppose that such an insurrection had
been fomented and instigated by the Government or the
King of Greece? (Hear.)
Lord J. RUSS ELL said the Government had received
information that such an outbreak had taken place at Arva,
but they had received nothing to induce them to believe
that the insurrection had been fomented by the King of
Greece. (Hear.)
The subj ect then dropped.
PAROCHIAL SURVEYORS.

Mr. M. SMITH wished to ask the noble lord the Sec-
retary of State for the Home D partment, whether it is the
intention of Government to introduce any measure during
the present Session of Parliament, for placing the repair
of the highways in England and Wales under district of
parochial surveyors.
Lord PALMEPSTON said no such measure was in
preparation. _