The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-16 00:00:00

OUR RELATIONS WITH AMERICA.

The Earl of DERBY rose to ask a question of the
noble earl the Secret try of State fur Foreign Affairs on
the subject of our relations with America. The noble
earl stated that he had waited till the last moment in the
expectation that the noble earl would have volunteered

some information upon a subject of such great impor t•
ance as that to which be had alluded. It was impoe
siblo to overrate the gravity of the position in which we
stood, or the serious responsibility that rested upon the
Government in regard to the course they think it neces
sary to take under the circumstances. He therefore asked

the noble earl whether, since the house last met, the
Government had come to any conclusion as to the ad•
vice they should give to her Majesty on the subject,
and if so, whether the noble lord was now prepared to
state the grounds of their conclusions ? (Hear, hear.)
The Earl of CLARENDON—My lords, it is the in-
tention of her Majesty's Government, at the earliest pos-
s►ble moment, to lay upon the table of the house the
papers which have been communicated to us by the
A►nericar. Government. Those papers had been laid be-
fore the Senate at Washington, and are now in the pos-
session of the Government of this country. They are
now in the printer's hands, and will be laid
before your lordships as soon as the answer
of her Majesty's Government to these despatches is pre.
pared. Your lordships must, however, be aware, that
the answer will require some time and mature conside-
ration. In consequence of the answer not being as yet
prepared lie refrained from taking the initiative in laying
before the house the desired information. I (continued
his lordship), feel, nevertheless, that it is the duty of the
Government to satisfy the public mind as speedily as
possible upon so important a subject. I therefore do
not hesitate to take this occasion for announcing to your
lordships that it is not the intention of her Majesty's
Ministers to advise a course which would have the effect
of suspending diplomatic relations with this country and
America. (Hear, bear.)
The Earl of DERBY said—ln the absence of the
papers in question, it would no doubt be premature to
enter into any discussion upon this question. He re-
joiced, personally, at the announcement made by the
noble earl, for this reason, that although he deeply re-
gretted the course taken by the Government of the
United States, nevertheless he felt it impossible to vin.
dicate the conduct of our Minister in America, and be be-

lieved therefore that the American Government had a just
cause of complaint against us. Although it was no doubt
painful and humiliating on the part of this country to
submit to the removal of our Minister from America,
and at the same time to recognise the authority of the
American Minister in this country, yet, believing the
American Government had just cause of complaint
against Mr. Crampton and our consuls, he rejoiced at
the determination of the Government to maintain diplo-
matic relations with America.

The Earl of CLARENDON could not help remark-
ing upon the most positive judgment upon Mr. Cramp-
ton's conduct by the noble earl. He could only appeal
to their lordships, and through their lordships to the
country, not to join the noble earl in thus prejudging the
conduct of Mr. Crampton.

The Earl of DERBY said he had formed his judg-
ment upo❑ the papers ho had already read, and which
had been laid before their lordships by command of the

Queen.

The subject then dropped.
[LEFT SITIINO.]

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(This Evening.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Lords' Amendments to the Stockton and Mid-
dlesbrough New Road and Bridge Bill were considered
and agreed to.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Bagenalstown and Wexford Railway, Blenheim Estate,
and Uttoxeter and Blyth Marsh Road.
The following bills were considered and ordered to be
read a third time :—Aberdeen, Peterhead, and Fraser-
burgh Railway, Birkeuhead Improvement Commis-
sioners, Bournemouth Improvement and Pier, Forest
of Dean Central Railway, and Renfrewshire Roads.
HIGHWAYS.
Mr. MASSEY moved for returns showing the par-
ticulars of the receipts and expenditure on account of
the highways in each county of England and Wa'es for
the year ending the 25th day of March, 1354, made out
in the form required by the Act 12 and 13 Vic., c. 35 ;
distinguishing cities, boroughs, towns, boards of health,
and places ender local acts from the ordinary highways.
—Order-d.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BILL.
In reply to an hon. member,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated
that if business permitted the Government intended to
take the second reading of this bill on Thur.-day next.
THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITIES.
Mr. THOMPSON asked the Lord Advocate if he was
prepared to bring in a bill for the union of the Aberdeen
Universities ?
The LORD ADVOCATE said he bad a bill prepared
for the above purpose. It was his intention shortly to
lay it on the table, and, if possible, to pass the bill this
session.