The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-10 00:00:00

what it was perfectly right for a Secretary of
the Treasury to do. He referred to the case of the
European and Australian Company's contract, which was
entered into by Mr. Wilson, and which he described as
worse than this Galway business. In the passage from
Galway there was no instance in which the vessel had failed.
As to Lord Derby having done all this—as to taking up
this subject on the eve of an election—that was an entire
delusion, for the subject had been under consideration for
the 10 or 12 years. An American gentleman then said—
" Give the matter to me, for you'll never get it carried out
to the advantage of Ireland." But was it not a most irra-
tional argument to say that the communications to Ireland
should be carried past that country, instead of being
brought, as they ought to be, direct to Ireland ? As re-
garded the contract itself, the sum was moderate, and it
was of great importance to Ireland to have speedy commu-
nication with a country which to Ireland was more impor-
tant than to any other country in Europe. When the line
from Galway to Belfast was completed the journey could be
made in three hours or less, and that would be a great ad-
vantage to the linen trade of the north of Ireland, to say
nothing of other matters. There was no corruption in the
agency, as he ascertained it to be in operation. The matter
had been legally inquired into, and £l,OOO were proved to
have been given, but the verdict was not worth one far-
thing. Mr. Lever had certainly shown great activity in
the matter, but he did not know very much of Ireland.
The real fact was, Ireland was entitled to the contract, and
a more wise decision could not be come to than that which
would establish the communication between Ireland and
America, inasmuch as it was the most rapid, most desirable,
and best and safest communication that could be between
England and the United States. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CRAWFORD was anxious to say a few words,
with a view of drawing the attention of the Government
to a point which had considerable weight with him in
the committee upstairs. The contract was dated the 12th
of April last year, and by its conditions the company
bound themselves in the sum of £20,000 by way of sti-
pulated forfeit if their ships should not be ready. He thought
Ireland had a right to obtain the contract if she could get it
in fair competition ; but, as the question now stood, he
should give his vote for the £60,000 proposed in the esti-
mates. Had the contract been dependent upon the decision
of Parliament, such decision should have been taken before
the company got to work and incurred expense. He should,
however, give his vote for the sum of £60,000 now proposed.
Sir F. BARING regretted that the chairman who pre-
, sided over the eommittee upstairs was not now in the house,
as he could throw much light upon this matter. He was not
at all surprised at the speech which the right hon. and
learned gentleman opposite had made in favour of the com-
munication between Ireland and America, as the most pre-
ferable one; but if the contract should not be kept, he hoped
Government would at least put it up to competition, and
then let Galway and other plaCes come in and put in their
tenders for it. That would be all fair, and he should have
no objection to see Ireland have her fair chance in the com-
petjtien. Re thought, however, that faith ought to be kept
with the company to whom promises had been given, and
who had given guarantees to carry the contract out. (Hear.)
Thera ought to have been on the part of the late Govern-
ment the greatest care that all the parties should have been
heard, but they had heard that, that had not been the case.
There had been no strict inquiry, as was promised by Lord
Derby. There had not been even the usual inquiry. (Hear.)
The effect of the words introduced into the contract had
been to warn parties that Parliament might object to the
contract, and the parties had so understood these words.
He quite admitted that there was a difficulty in the case,
inasmuch as Mr. Lever had handed over his interest to an-
other company, and there might be innocent shareholders,
but he could not hold that that precluded Parliament
from dealing with the subject. There was, however,
a most important principle involved, because it was the
duty of Parliament to look sharp and keep contracts clean
There might be inconvenience to parties, but if Parliament
could not interfere, how could it prevent jobbing ?
Mr. DISRAELI thought the right hon. gentleman the
member for Portsmouth could not accuse him as having
prevented discussion. He assented to the introduction of
the words, the special language in the contract, which had
been alluded to, but he had no intention that this subject
should be decided upon other grounds than its general
merits of benefit to Ireland. (Hear, hear.) The arrange'
ment was long and well considered. The decision was
mature one—that it was for the welfare of the country and
of the kingdom at large that the arrangement should be
entered into. Nor could he agree that the terms of it were
improvident or unusual. The right hon. gentleman the
member for Kilmarnock said it had been carried out nn'
usually ; but that statement was directly in opposition to
the evidence of Mr. Stevenson before the select committee,
to the effect that that business was always left in the hand
of the financial secretary of the Treasury. That was not
altogether the fact, although it was nearly so for some
years past, and that result had produced great and general
dissatisfaction. It was on such an occasion that the Prime
Minister examined the whole of the papers presented to
him, but those which related to the understanding with,
the Canadian Government were absent. The record a
that understanding at the Treasury was extremely Impel'
feet, but, however that was to be regretted, he maintained
that a better arrangement could not be made. The pry'
ciple of competition in reference to these contracts WO
subject to some modification, and a certain amount
of discretion respecting them was vested in the Go-
vernment. (Cheers, and cries of " Oh.") Well, if they
could show' that exorbitant and improvident .terms bad
been conceded, the contract w ,uld be open to censure an
that ground ; but they could not. Then with regard to
the corrupt motive of the Government. The charge wee
made in loud terms, but did not on that account possess
strength, for it could be disproved by this simple fact that
the Treasury minute was signed on the 27th of Februarl,
before a dissolution of Parliament was even dreamt of.
(Cheers from the Conservatives.) In support of the con-
tract he had received a memorial from eminent merchants
and bankers of London, headed with the name of Rothr
child, and not only from London, but from the whole com-
mercial community of the United Kingdom. This wile
the corrupt proceeding which they were charged with
having entered into to promote their own political ends'
So far from that it was fully approved, as he had shown,
by the whole commerce f the country. There was, how-
ever, a great deal of jealousy in certain places against Irish
enterprise in any shape, but while Southampton received
£600,000 in subsidies, and Liverpool hundreds of thousands,
distant Galway ought not to be envied this contract, and
the conduct of the late Government ought not to have been
impugned. (Cheers.)

Mr. ROEBUCK said Mr. Bouverie had accused some
body of corruption. As he (Mr. Roebuck) had negotiated
this contract, he must have had something to do with it,
and the other party connected with the bargain was Lord
Derby. There was a disgrace attached to an unfounded
accusation, and there was a cowardice in it. He bad
never heard of Mr. O'Malley Irwin or saw him till in the
court of justice, and that person had nothing to do win"-
the contract.

The committee divided at two o'clock, and the numbers
were—
For the vote 145
Against it
Majority —lO6
The Chairman was then directed to report progres6
and the house having resumed, he obtained leave to oil
again.

The Consolidated Fund (£10,000,000) Bill was read
second time.

The Industrial Schools Act (1847) Amendment Bill W
read a third time and passed.
The Titles to Land (Scotland) Act (1858) Amendment
Bill passed through committee, and was reported, with
amendments, to the house.

The Land Loan and Enfranchisement Company's Mt;
1860 (Mistake Rectifying) Bill was read a third timed
passed.

The Attorneys, Solicitors, and Certificated Conveyancer°
Bill was, after a short discussion, postponed to this day.
THE CONJUGAL RIGHTS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This bill was read a second time, it being agreed that tvre
clauses should be struck out in committee.
THE RAILWAYS ACT, IRELAND (1851) AIIIEND•
MENT BILL.

The Lords' amendments were considered and agreed to.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHARITIES BILL.
This bill as amended was considered.
THE METROPOLIS LOCAL MANAGEMENT ACT

AMENDMENT BILL.
The adjourned debate on the consideration of this bill
was resumed, but the feet of there being less than 40 mem-
bers present being called to the attention of the Speaker/
the right hon. gentleman counted the house, and as °nit
12 members wero present, the house was adjourned at 25
minutes to 3.

BIRTHS.
•
DORLING.—On the 7th inst., at Epsom, the wife of Mr
Dorling, of a son.
REEV
ReevE.—Oof a n the 7th inst., at 29, Athermarle-street, Mae
e, son.
Woon.—On the 9th inst , at 35, Charles-street, Berkeley'square, the lady of
daughter. Majsr-deneral Robert irood, of a

MARRIAGES.
COTTON—READ.—On the Bth, }'net., at St. George's, Hal"
over- square, Henry Morten -Cotton, Esq., of Ecclestou"
square and Chancery-lane, to Emma Harriet, the fifth
daughter of Francis Read, Esq., of Upper Belgrave-
place, Pimlico:
WILKINsoN—HANBURY.—On the 6th inst., at St. Paul's
Church, Knightsbridge, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry °'
Wilkinson of the Scots Fusilier Guards, to the Hon.
Louisa Catherine Bateman Hanbury, youngest daughter
of the late and sister of the present Lord Bateman.
DEATHS.

CARLHANN.—On the Bth inst. at EastWickham, Chevalier
Samson Cahlmann, of 13, Austin-friars, Consul-General
of Saxe-Weimar, aged 66.
IMPEY.—On the 6th inst., at her residence Barrington
Cottages, East Brixton, Fanny, relict of Admiral Impflt
aged 70.
MORGAN.—On the Bth inst., at Harefield-grove, Stephen
Morgan, Esq., aged 81.
Nicol.—On the Bth inst., in Eccleston-square, Margar
Dyce, wife of William Nicol, Esq., M.P.

LONDON: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG,
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun 3ffice, No. 112,
Strand, in the Preoinot of the Savoy, in the count/ 1:4

Middlesex, Frichy, Augiiat 10, 1866