The Sun.
London, England, 1836-08-09 00:00:00

SWITZERL &ND.

Dr. BOWRING begged to ask the Noble Lord below
him (Palmerston), whether any interference had taken place
on the part of England to induce the Swiss Government to
violate the laws of hospitality by giving up the refugees.who had
taken shelter in that country. He understood that a note
had keen addressed by Count Montebello to the Swiss Mi-
nister on the subject, and although there might be
a case made out against some of the German re-
fugees, he bad heard with much surprise that the
French and Polish refugees were also included in the
order. Although the name of England had been intro-
duced, he was satisfied that she had taken no part in this
infringement upon the liberties of Switzerland, and he
now hoped the Noble Lord, the policy of whose Govern-
ment appeared to be to promote the liberties rather than
the despotism of Europe, tvotild give him an assurance that
the namq of England had been unwarrantably introduced
on the occasion.

Lord PALMERSTON said that the English Govern-
ment had been no parties to the matter. At the same time
he should not be performing his duty if he gave that strict
and naked an:iwer, because inferences might be drawn
which onglit not : every independent nation had a right un-
d,mbtedly to afford protection to foreigners, but it was the duty
of every government to take care that in doing so they did
not disturb neighbouring states. He believed that the
French Government were convinced that there was in
Switzerland a number persons who had linked the,n-
selves together, for the purpose, if possible, of sub-
verting the Government of France, and therefore it was that
application had been made to the Swiss Government. If
he might be allowed to advise the Swiss Government, lie
should say, certainly that such persons ought to be required
to leave the territoq.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentle-
man had thought the French Government had acted
lightly ; but when the whole of the circumstances were
looked to, he thought it would be found that they had
had good ground for what they had done. As far as
the English Government were concerned, they felt
the full importance of maintaining the independence of
Switzerland, and it was part of the policy of the States of
Europa that its independence should be recognized.
Mr. HUMS wished to know from the Noble Lord whe-
ther the Government of this country had concurred in the
request ; he objected to the Government of this country be-
ing
Lord PALMERSTON said that the English Govern-
ment had taken no efficacious steps upon the subject.
Dr. BO WRING felt obliged to the Noble Lord for the
statements he had made ; but he must be allowed to say,
there were a great number of Italian refugees there who
had been told they must go to America.
Captain BOLDER() then rose to move, pursuant to
the notice he had given, for a copy of the charge
and minutes of evidence of a Court of Inquiry
held at Sheerness in February last, touching the con-
duct of Lieut. Hill, lately in the command of his Majesty's
ship Albion, who had been superseded without inquiry.
The Gallant Member then stated the circumstances of Mr.
Hill's case at Malta, from which it appeared that after
having got his written orders to proceed to England,
he was desired by the Admiral's Secretary to stop
and take home a passenger. He refused, but made a
signal to see whether he was to go nn to England or not—
the signal was answered in the affirmative, and he went on.
He, however, was recalled by another signal, and superseded.
The admiral, however, found he was moving, and appointed
him afterwards to his own ship. On coming to England
lie applied for his old appointment, but was told he ought
to go out to Malta and stand his trial. He was refused
any charge, and all his witnesses were in England. Mr.
Hill had not been guilty of any disgraceful conduct, and
ought to have a fair trial. He had been 26 years in the
service. He had served under six Admirals and twenty
Post Captains, all of whom had given him certificates of
good character ; yet he was now turned off with disgrace.
He was afraid he had stated the case but feebly, not being
a sailor, but he hoped he had stated it sufficiently to show
the greatest injustice had been done. The Hon. and Gal-
lant Officer concluded by moving for a copy of the
charge, if any, and accounts of evidence of a Court of In-
quiry held at Sheerness, in February last, touching the
conduct of Lieutenant Hill, R.N., late in the command of
His Majesty's steam-vessel Alban, in the Mediterranean,
superseded without enquiry.
Mr. HUTT seconded the motion, and bore testimony to
the petitioner being an intelligent and honourable man.
Mr. C. WOOD did not think the House of Commons
was the proper tribunal for discussing questions of mere
military or naval discipline ; 'and he would ask any Member
of the House, especially an officer holding his Majesty's
Commission, whether a Commander-in-chief under any cir-
cumstances might not remove an officer from the command
of a vessel ?
Captain GORDON thought if the statements which
had been made were borne out this officer had been hardly
treated. He thought the Admiralty ought to make some
inquiry on the subject.
Mr. HUME defended the conduct of the petitioner. It had
been said that there were most extraordinary circumstances
connected with the case, but none of these extraordinary
circumstances had been brought forward.
Lord J. RUSSELL thought the Hon. Member was
most irregular in bringing forward the motion on the
moving of an Order of the Day. It was impossible for the
House of Commons to enter into the merits of the case
without a very strong case was made upon the subject.

Admiral ADAMS defended the conduct of the peti-
tioner.

Sir ROBERT INGLIS considered the conduct exer-
cised towards the petitioner most justifiable.
Captain BOLDERO should not divide the House upon
it. He considered he had done his duty in bringing tbo

case of Mr. Hill before the House, and he trusted the
Government would reconsider the matter.—( Hear.)
. MUNICIPAL ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
Mr. WARBURTON presented a petition against the
Lords Amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act
Amendment Bill.
The Order of the Day having been read for the con-
sideration of the Lords Amendments to the Municipal Act
(Amendment) Bill,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said it would be in the re-
collection of the House that they had sent up a Bill to
the House of Lords, containing amendments to the Munici-
p Corporation Bill passed last year, one of which was an
amendment declaring the manner inwhich the chairman should
be chosen in order to preside at the election of a mayor
in cases v.'here the number of councillors were equal on
each side, and the other was an amendment with regard to
Charitable Trusts. To .these amendments. the Lords had
disagreed. The former amendment he considered was
not worth quarrelling with, but with regard to that
which related to Charitable Trusts, he hoped he should have
the coacurrence of the House in not allowing Chari-
table Trustees to retain their powers for one year.
He thought the best course would be to allow that to take
place which was intended by the Corporation Act of last
year. He should therefore move that those amendments
should be rejected.
Lord STORMONT rose, and was left speaking.