The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-13 00:00:00

WAR WITH CHINA.

Mr. MACKINNON begged to ask the Noble Lord
whether the Government were aware that the Governor-
General of India had declared war against China, as
reported ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government were not
in possession of any official information of any act
amounting to a declaration of war. Directions
had been given by the Government to the Go-
vernor-General to make certain preparations ;
and although AO official intelligence had been received,
no doubt those preparations had given rise to the re-
port. He spoke, however, only from conjecture ; he
had no official information whatever.
Sir R. PEEL—Supposing that the report were to
to prove true, and that a declaration of war had been
made, ho would like to put a few questions to the Go-
vernment. Ist. Supposing such a war were made, was
it to be carried on on account of this country, and
at the expence of the United Empire? 2dly. Whe-
ther, supposing the report were true, it was the in-
tention of her Majesty's Government, to bring down
any message to Parliament announcing their intention
to resort to hostilities ?
Lord PALMERSTON apprehended that any com-
municaetfionc whihniach,
of, and in the navimmike a r
rpi leade e
on by
ibt hy
the
ee Govern-
ment.authority
Gover-
nor-General to us in
anyobpeCieruaaefft eioonrndsoe afforded t ba yt GreattnhliegnhGtr
ttvaaelknre...

place against China, would be lent to t'nis country,
and would not be on the account of the East
India Company. It was not the intention of the Go-
vernment to bring down any message to the Wouse upon
the matter. _

Sir R. PEEL had said, supposing that war was
proclaimed, in that event he wished to inquire whether
any formal message would be sent down ?
Lord PA L MERSTO N—The communications
which would tike place between this country and the
Government of China would take place in the name of
the Sovereign of Great Britain, and not on account of
the East India Company.—( Laughter.)
Sir R. PEEL—In the case of a war entered into by
the Indian Government, aad on its own account, he
could understand why there should be no message, be-
cause it would be ruled by precedent. But in the case
of a war entered into on account of the British Govern-
ment,o llila
atth;sty4--_-4r4sU of the British Crown, and in thp. name
of her ch being the state of things, he 'appre,
hended that the House ought tQ have going formal

it,
Lord PALMERsTON had useti the word a com-
munications," not the word " hostilities."—(Laughter.)
Mr. PALMER begged to ask whether the instruc-
tions sent out to the Governor-General of India dif-
fered from those which had been sent to Sir F. Maitland?

Lord PALMERSTON'S reply was inaudible.
Mr. HERRIES said the Noble Lord had laid
upon the table certain documents relat►ve to the
communications that had taken place between the
Governor and the parties claiming compensation for
the opium destroyed. None of these papers came
down later than the 13th of June, 1839, and
he wished to know whether there were any addi-
tional documents on the subject to be laid before the
House. He also wished to know if there were any
further documents with respect to the instructions sent
out from that country to the British Superintendant at
China?
Lord PALMERSTON said all the communica-
tions that had taken place between the parties claiming
compensation and the Government, had been Lid on
the table. With regard to the other question, all
papers which had been called for by the motion, and
everything bearing upon the question had been laid on
the table.
LAW REFORM.

Mr. AGLIONBY said it had been intimated that
certain law reforms were about to be introduced, and
among the rest that two new Judges were to be ap-
pointed to the Court of Chancery. Ha begged to
ask the Noble Lord whether the reform was to be li-
mited to the appointment of these two Judges?
Lord J. RUSSELL could hardly give an answer to
the question without anticipating the statement which
would shortly be made by his Noble Friend the Lord
Chancellor on introducing the Bill in the other House.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

Sir R. PEEL begged to ask the Noble Lord to
state what would be the order of the business for to-
morrow night ? _ _ _

Lord .J RUSSELL said the question of privilege
with respect to the actions against the messengers of
the House, would be first taken ; after that the Bill
with respect to printed papers, and they would then
proceed with the Estimates.