The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-18 00:00:00

THE

such a footing as he- trusted -would-very shortly bring
a',out a et-Virulent of these accounts satistactorily to the
Britteh merchants. In North America tho salaries of
the coustils depended latterly upon the fees received by
them for the 'wit tour years. If. however, their fees fell
off, that fact might f inn a good reason for restoring to
them some portion of their salaries. The general result
of what he tied stated was this:—He nad abolished the
consul general at Algiers, substituting a consul and vice-
consul—he was going to abolish the consul-general at
Tripoli—he had abolished the consul-general at Syria
without any substitution whatever. The agents at the
different ports in that quarter were to report to the con-
sul-general at Constan inople instead of reporting to the
consul-general at Syria. There could be g eenral
rule as to any particular amount being applicable to all
cases, as such amount must depend upon the nature of
the duties performed, and other circum,tanees connected
with the office. He had paid every attention to the
subject, with the view of rendering these duties as effi-
cient, and the salaries as economical as possible, and he
would continue to direct his attention to the 'erne
views, and to the abolition of all offices that were un-

necessary.—(ll,ar, hear.)
Mr. ALCjeK wished to draw the attqn'ion of the
Committee to their consular establishment at Peru.
There was a heavy duty placed upon that most impor-
tant article connected with British agriculture—namely,

guano, in Lima, and he could not h'e'lp thinking, that if
the consaLgeneral there had exertea himself more much
greater facilities would be given to the procurine of
this article for the purposes ot British egricalture. The
Peruvian Government owed us a very Leavy debt, the
interest of which they were partially evabled to pay by
the sale of guano here. They, however, limited their
supplies to the British market, and he thought that
their farmers to mark their displeasure at the conduct
pursued by the Peruvian Government, ought to abstain
from the use of the article for a year or so.
Lord PALMERSTON could assure the Hon. Gen-
tleman that if guano was not more plentiful in this
country it was not the fault of the cousul-general nor
of the British Government. The late Sir It. Peel, who
took a great interest iu this question, had endeavoured
to persuade the Peruvian Government not to continue
this monopoly, but rather to permit this guano to he
sent over here in great abundance. The present Go-
vernment had twice attempted to persuade them to the
same course, but without success. The Honourable
Member said that the sale of guano here had given the
Peruvian Government the means of paying the bond-
holders of this country what they owed. That
Government thought that by increasing the
supplies the price ot the article would fall, and
they, therefore, would not have such means to meet
their engagements. He did not mean to say that that
was a very sound or just reason, but still such was the
fact. The mode by which the Hun. Gentleman proposed
to procure a more plentiful supply of the article—namely,
the adoption of the principle of prohibition, was, he
thought, a very novel one —(Laughter.) He was rather
inclined to think if this privation was to have the effect
of depriving the Peruvian Government of the means of
paying their debt, they would be diapteell to submit to
it with greater patience than the agriculturists of Eng-
land would exhibit in submitting to the privation of
guano.—(Laughter.)
Mr. W. WILLIAMS complained of their expensive
establishments at Constantinople, Paris, Madrid, and
other places, where, together with consuls-general, they
bad ambassadors and attachis in great number. He
also wished to know how the fees received by consuls
were accounte I tor, and whether they formed au addi-
tion to the salary?
Lord PALMERSTON said that with regard to the
duties of the consulate at Constantinople, it was well
known that , British subjects were not tried before the
Turkish tribunals, but before the consular court, and that
in consequence of the number of our lonian subjects
who visited Constantinople a good deal of tusinees was
entailed upon the consul. Tne Hun. Member said that
he did not see why the British people should be taxed
ler the hospitali.y of the consul. but there were others
who did nut see why the consul should be taxed for
English subjects travelling in the East. With respect to
Buenos Ayres, that being a place of trade, it was impos-
sible for the Minister to perform the consular duties.
The fees went to defray the expense of the consular es-
tablishment., and an account of them was rendered to
the Foreign-office.
Mr. LENNARD remarked that no notice was taken
of the Consul at Rome in the estimates. He wished to
know whether the Noble Lord had any objets:ion to lay
a statement of the fees received by consuls on the table
of the House?
Lord PALMERSTON said that the Consul at Rome
had no salary. He bad no objection to lay a statement
of the fees on the table.
The Committee then divided, when there appeared—
For the motion 43
Against it ... 153
Majority against the motion —llO
Mr. trEWITHAIi 1' then objected to the vote for the
salary of Sir James Brooke, not on account of the
amount of the salary, but because Sir James Brooke was
not only Consul but Raja of Sarawak and Governor of
Labuan, and because he was engaged in commercial
pursuits.
Lord PALMERSTON said that the salary was di-
vided between the two offices, and that Sir James Brooke
was not at present engaged in trade.
Mr. URQUiIART said that he must object to the
vote. Sir James Brooke had been engaged in trade, and

the Noble Lord's answer was too general.
Mr. HAWES could assure the Hon Member that Sir
James Brooke had not been engagi d in any commercial
speculation whatever since he was appoiuLtd Governor
of LAbuan. •

The vote was then agreed to.
16,0001. for oxtraordivary diabursementa of diplomatic
misstuns abroad.

Mr. EWART thought that some means should be
adopted for educating persons for the diplomatic service
before being appointed to it. He suggested that there
should be eximivationa of all persons admitted to hold
public offices.

Lord PALMERSTON agreed with the Hoc. Mem-
ber in the opinions expressed. He thought that oil
candidates for diplomatic appointments ought to be sub.
jecteti to some such test as a previous examination.
Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the charge for trawls-
Lion of documents, and other minor expenses.

Lord PAL ViEkiS CON observed that where statis-

tics! documents were required to be made up, and in a
short time, it was necessary to incur the expenses to
which the lion. Member referred.
Mr. URQUHART proposed to reduce the sum of
2,7001. fer interpreters by 7501.
Lord PALMERSTON defended the vote. He had
applied some years ago to the Universities to have two
or three young men sent to Constantinople to learn the
Turkish language, so that they might act as dragomans.
The vote was agreed to.
The next vote was 180,2051. for superannuation al-
lowances.

The vote was agreed to.
Toe vote for 2,1001 for the National Vaccine Este- I
bli.huient was passed after some discussion.
3 750/. for the expenmas of negro and Corsican sufferers
we Lied. rstood.—Agreed to.
3,250/. for the H tuge for the Destitute.—Agreed to.
4 4501. for the Polish refugees and whers —Agreed to.
6,1261.. albiwanee to ministers, Regium Donum.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXOLIEQUER slid the
vote had been objected to, but it was the lust time the
vote would be asked.
Mr. WILLIAMS would divide the House against the
vote. He would first move that the Chairman report
progress.
Mr. G. BERKELEY thought the Hon. Member ought
to be satisfied with the Right Hon. Gentleman's pro-
position.
Mr. KERSHAW also thought the Hon. Member ought
not to pie's the amendmmt after the promise which had
been given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Colon 4 SIBTIIORP bad no faith in Ministerial pro-
miuts. He objected to the threat held out the other
night by the Right Hon. Gentleman, that if the esti-
mates were not got rid of, the House must sit till the
middle of August. He had no objection to sit till that
time if the public interests require it. The Right Hon.
Gentleman wanted to prorogue the House at an early
day, that Ministers might go to their amuseturnts and
pocket their salaries all the time. He objected to going
o n
the Merchant at the present ra lroad pace, especially when voting,
money matters.—Vote agreed to.
6501. for the Foundling Hospital and House of Indus-
try.—Agreed to.
9,7831. for House of Industry, Dublin.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS moved that the chairman report
Peeress.
The motion was agreed to without a division, and the
House resumed.
The Marriages
(Indiaeßialln t was read a third time and
passed.
1 hereportSeamen's Fund Bill, as
amended, was received.
The Collection of Fi •
nes, &c. (Ireland) Bill passed
through Committee.
The other business on th
. • paper was then disposed
of, and the House adjourned
ut a quarter to Two
o'clock.

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