The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 3, 1864,

by the last expedition. Those services must not be for-
gotten
when we are acknowledging the services of those who
were successful. It is said by the right hon. and learned
gentleman that a motion was made in this house to induce
the Government to send out, at the public expense, an ex-
pedition in search of the late it John Franklin. ,t.s (Hear.)
I must carless I never acted more at variance with my own
personal feelings—(hear, hear)—than when, from higher
considerations, the Government declined to undertake that
expedition at the public expense. At the same time we felt
' that it would not be justifiable in the Government to order
or send out, at the public expense, men upon a search which
appeared at_the time hopeless, and accompanied by dangers
and such hardships as would not justify the Government in
exposing men to. (Hear, hear.) I believe, Sir Leopold
M'Clintock succeeded without any loss of life—or scarcely
any, in accomplishing the object which that noble lady who
senc him out had so long and frequently attempted. Now it
was known that anybody who should ascertain the fate of
the Franklin expedition, and bring any traces of the relics
should receive a reward of £lO,OOO. The whole of that
sum was awarded to Dr. Rae, and therefore there is not
at present any sum applicable, which has been voted by
Parliament, for the purpose of rewarding Sir Leopold
M'Clintock and his brave companions. (Hear, hear.). _At
the same time I am ready to say, if it should be the opinion
of Parliament, that this was a fitting occasion upon which
to make any grant, over and above that which has been
already sanctioned, within a moderate limit, that the Go-
vernment will not make any opposition or stand in the way
of the generous feelings of the House of Commons. With
respect to the other topic, undoubtedly it would be fitting
that we should not follow the example of that monument
to which my Tight hon. friend adverted—that it.should not
be a monument recording that it was not the country—
that it was not the sovereign, but the widow, who
erected it to the memory of those noble end gallant
men. It would be more fitting that there should
be a record to show that the country, the sovereign, and the
widow had all united to erect a memorial to commemorate
the sell ices of the distinguished Sir J. Franklin. (Hear,
hear.) The expense of such a monument would net, I
think, be considerable in comparison with the gratification
which I am sure it would afford the whole of the country,
and particularly that noble lady who I am told disclaims
receiving any remuneration for the great expense which
she has incurred. (Hear.) But it will no doubt be highly
gratifying to her feelings if the Government and Parlia-
ment were to concur in erecting some memorial to the
memory of her deceased husband. I think we may fairly
say that the husband and wife were worthy of each other,
and I am persuaded it will be gratifying to the country if
ah the consent of Parliament some monument were
erected which shall record not only the services of the hus-
band but the devotion of the wife. '(Hear, hear.)
Mr. DISRAELI said the announcement of the noble
vi:,,count on the part of the Government would be most
gratifying to the country. No one could have read the
narrative of Sir Leopold M'Clintock, or have watched the
proceedings of the singular expedition, without feeling
that it formed a heroic chapter in the annals
of the mariners of the country. With respect to that
noble lady, to whose energies and perseverance the late
satisfactory result was accomplished, I feel as all must feel,
the intelligence and high enduring spirit with which Lady
Franklin had prosecuted those researches had made her
name illustrious among the daughters of England, and I
am quite sure MAI the resolution at which the Government
have arrived will afford very great gratification among all
her Majesty's subjects. (Hear, hear.)
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Mr. GRECIOIiY, in withdrawing a notice which he had
placed on the pin= in reference to Irish railways, said that
before he sat down he wished to advert to the statement
made by the noble viscount as to the decision come to by
the trustees of the British Museum. He trusted that silence
on this occasion would not be construed into an acquies-
cence that these collections on natural history might be re •
moved to a place difficult of aceess to the inhabitants of
London, He thought that before anything was done there
ought to be some inquiry into the feelings and opinions of
than persons who were in the habit of visiting the museum,
and it should be remembered that in removing these col-
lections to another place it would be necessary to provide
books of reference, which could not be done under great ex-
pense, while at present there was under the same roof the
best library in the world.

COLLISIONS IN THE CHANNEL.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said that he desired, before put-
ting a question to the noble lord the Secretary to the Admi-
ralty, to advert to the subject of Captain M'Clintock. He
could not refrain from expressing his great satisfaction with
the observations of the right hon. baronet the member for
Portsmouth (Sir F. Baring). The noble viscount had
alluded to the conduct of Lady Franklin herself, and ha
could not help expreecing his coneurrenee: with that pa, t
of the subject. He hoped she would not be forgotten by
the noble viscount, and he thought that something more
was due to her than what had been mentioned by the noble
viscount, The right hon, baronet then called attention to a
reported collision in the Channel—off the Lizard—between
the ships of the fleet, and he wished to ask whether the Board
of Admiralty had had any account of the reported version of
this collision of the fleet off the Lizard, and the eircumstances
of the damage done to the ships, He should like to inquire
whether this was to be considered as the unavoidable result
of the late gale, or whether any blame was to be imputed to
the officers of the squadron There was a still more im-
portant question, and it was this. The paragraph to which
he referred stated that the casualties which had happened
to the Diadem, the Algiers, and the Mersey, had all been
reported to the Admiralty. He wished to know whether
these casualties which had happened to these magnificent
ships occurred by coming into collision in the open Channel.
He understood the Diadem and the Queen ran foul of each
other, and that the Algiers and the Mersey also ran foul of
each other. The fact of these splendid ships coming into
collision in the open Channel was a matter of serious im-
port, and one which the attention of the Admiralty ought to
be directed to. It must, in addition, carne a large and
serious expense. How did this matter occur ? He under-
stood that in both cases they were caused by the ships sail-
ing in two lines, and backing in succession. If that was
the case, ono of two inferences must follow : either the
sailing orders under which the fleet were mancouvering
must be of a defective and unsafe character, or that there
was a want of seamanship among the officers. He should
be glad to have these impressions removed, if it could be
done. (Hear, hear.)
THE " FRIEND OF CHINA"—IMPRISONMENT

service. He must say that he did not consider it to be one
of the duties of the police to set a watch and to maintain a
guard during the performance of divine service. Such a
state of things would necessitate a law similar to that which
applied to disturbed districts in Ireland, where a rate for
such a purpose could be levied on the whole district. He
hoped that the instructions which had been given would be
found effectual in preserving the peace.

sonal recriminations, or by representing that any member
really had a desire that the peace of Europe should be dis-
turbed. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that when they came to
the consideration of this question they would remember there
were two elements which had been strangely left out of sight,
namely, the relation of this question to the general arrange-
ment of Italian affairs, and the re-establishment of that
great nation to which they were all looking forward with
impatient and interested eyes. The question of Sardinia only
came before them incidentally in relation to the great ques-
tion of the nationality of Italy. In his opinion the people of
Savoy had always represented the opinions of the govern.
ment of France, and had been opposed to every principle of
civil and religious liberty in the Piedmontese Parliament.
They had v. ry little sympathy with the struggles in which
the people of Italy were engaged, and his belief was that
they would prefer to join a country which was more in ac-
-cordancs with their notions of religion and politics. This
certainly could be done without in any degree disturbing
the peace of Europe. The annexation of s avoy would be no
unjust compensation to France for the 50,000 lives she had
sacrificed and the millions of money she had expended in
the cause of Italy. (Hear, hear.) What had we done for
Italy which could for a moment compare with what France
had done for her ? (Hear, hear.) He had not approached
this question as a member representing the interests of
France. (A laugh.) He trusted none of them were repro-
sentativesaither of Sardinia or France, but that they only
represented English interests and English honour. (Hear.)
Lord J. RUSSELL—Sir, I cannot allow this discussion to
close without answering the question put by the noble lord
the member for Leicestershire (Lord J. Manners), and also
making some observations upon the remarks which have
been addressed by other hon. members to the house. The
noble lord asks whether I understand that the Emperor of
the French means merely to explain the case for the annexa-
tion of Savoy, or whether he means to consult the great
powers of Europe and to learn their opinion. After reading
the speech of the Emperor of the French, and hearing the
explanation which the ambassador of France has given me
of it to-day, I cannot doubt that the intention of the Em-
peror of the French is to consult the great powers of Europe
with respect to that annexation. (Cheers.) I beg the house
to consider that it cannot be a matter of indifference to any
ruler of France what is the opinion of Europe generally, and
of the great powers, upon his position. In this very speech
the Emperor of the French states that he is not going to an-
nex Savoy by way of military conquest. What does that
mean ? It means that he is not ready to encounter the
general disapprobation and distrust of Europe, but that he
believes that his Government can lay such statements be-
fore the different powers of Europe as would enable him,
without reproach and with their consent, to make this an-
nexation of Savoy. I differ from the Government of France
in these sentiments. (Hear, hear.) I, as belonging to one
of the powers of Europe concerned, not being in the situa-
tion ee either France or Sardinia. conceive that the annexa-
tion of Savoy and the occupation of the passes of the Alps
would be'more threatening to Italy than the present situa-
tion of affairs is threatening to Franee. (Hoar, hear.) At
the same time, I must beg, to impress on this house this
further consideration. The powers of Europe are to be con-
sulted—but England is a power which does not merely con-
sist of the Executive Government but also of the Crown
and the Parliament of the United Kingdom; therefore I
should be far from wishing that on this matter the Peril-
ment of England should not hold and pronounce its opinion;
but there is this to be said, that if we are to raise, as I
think the hon. member for Tamworth seemed disposed to
do, angry discussions on the subject —if we are to take mere
assertions in the place of truth, and to suppose bad motives
on the . part of a friendly sovereign, the only effect of de-
bates carried on in such a temper would be to excite pas-
sionate feelings, not only between the Executive Govern-
ment of France and the Government of England, but
between the people of France and the people of England—
(hear)—and I cannot conceive, however much the noble
lord opposite may vaunt his own patriotism as opposed to
that of the hon. member for Birmingham, that a man could
render a worse service to England than endeavour to raise
feelings which would necessarily lead to sentiments of sus-
picion and hostility on the part of both countries. (Hear.)
It is from such feelings that ruptures arise. I have already
said that I think the Emperor of the French is wrong
on this subject, and that he has proposed an annexation
which he was not justified in asking for—(hear)—but I say
that this is a question to be fairly considered, and there can
be no advantage to this country or to Europe in making it
a question of anger, and not of calm consideration in respect
to all the reasons that can be alleged on the one side and on
the other. (Cheers.) I have stated that the Emperor of the
French had declared that after consulting with the great
Powers of Europe, and obtaining likewise the consent of
the people of Savoy, he wished to make this addition to his
dominions; and upon M. Thouvenel being applied to, in
consequence of the Emperor's speech not mentioning the
consent of tl2e people of Savoy, with the view of its being
ascertained whether the Emperor of the French had ahanged
his determination on this point, M. Thouvenel gave the as-
surance that no change had taken place, and that the Em-
peror was as determined as before not to attempt the an-
nexation without the consent of the people of Savoy. I
must say that I heard with concern the speech of the hon.
baronet, and I should not be conveying my impression of the
discussion if I did not add that I also heard with great
concern the speech
,of the hon. member for Birmingham.
(Cheers.) I believe that these questions ate mixed up with
the general relations of the Powers of Europe to each other ;
that they have an important bearing on the confidence
which one State is disposed to place in another; and that
the independence of the different States does constitute that
security in Europe without which neithet- trade nor com-
merce nor social intercourse can subsist. (Cheers.) A `riot
aiange lies amen tirought about in fluty. That change,
while it will be, I trust, for the benefit of the people of
Italy, breaks off old relations, establishes new ties, and
cannot be accomplished without the risk of further dis-
turbance and of further collision between Powers which
are now to be separated by new boundaries, awl which, at
the same time, are animated by old hatreds and by old
animosities. (Hear, hear.) Sir, it appears to me that it
is the duty of the English Government, and, I will, add,
it is the duty of the English House of Commons, to con-
sider in this state of affairs how best the peace of Europe
can be maintained and consolidated, to give -no reason for
an increase of suspicion and animosity towards us on the
part of other Powers, and, above all, not by premature dis-
cussion, while the papers on this subject are yet unread,
come to conclusions which may be unwarranted, and to
form judgments upon the conduct of foreign Powers which
afterwards when the full evidence is before you, you may
find to be inconsistent with the position of this country
and unfair towards the ruler of a country like France, with
whom it is our interest to keep on terms of friendship and
alliance. (Cheers.)
Sir R. PEE L, in explanation, said that nothing was
farther from his intention than the wish to raise angry
discussions upon the relative position of this country with
France. He adhered warmly to the French alliance, and
would be the last man to sow such seeds of dissension as
would endanger its further continuance. (Hear.) He
begged also to assure the hon. member for Birmingham
that in advocating the interests of Savoy he had reason to
believe that he was representing the opinions of a very
large number of the people of that country.
Lord J. RUSSELL—I omitted to notice the question
asked by the hon. baronet as to the versions of the gm-
peror's speech which appear in different newspapers. We
have only got a telegram, which may be incorrect, end I
don't think the house can judge which is the correct ver-
sions of the speech until it appears in the Moniteur, which
I think will not have taken plane until this morning.
THE CUOMS' DEPARTMENT.
Mr. MAGUIRE faked the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, whether, with a view to the interests of the public
service, the Treasury contemplated, in the revision of the
Customs department which must necessarily take place con-
sequent upon the alterations in the tariff; placing those offi-
cers on the superannuation or redundant list, who had
hitherto been found unworthy of reward or unfit for promo-
tion ; and, further, whether any provision would be made
for the purpose of bringing forward those officers, without
regard to the ncere routine system of promotion, from their
knowledge of commercial matters, and possessing the con-
fidence of tho mercantile world, were more likely to carry
out the new arrangement to the satisfaction of the public.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said be
entirely sympathised with the spirit in which this question
was put, but the promotion ix question hail for many years
been not in the hands of the political advisers of the Crown
but had rested with the heads of the departments them-
selves. This plan had worked well. The hon. gentleman
in his question had given a just view of the principle on
which promotion should proceed, viz., that persons who
were inferior, or whose efficiency was declining on account
of age, should be succeeded by persons promoted net in the
spirit of routine, but with the view of improving what was
admitted to be a well-regulated department.
CUSTOMS ACTS—SILKS.
On the bringing up of the report,
Mr. NE WDE GATE moved an amendment on resolution
3, " That the present duties on silk manufactures imported
into the United Kingdom be retained until the Ist day of
October, 1861." He said—l think the house will agree with
me that I am justified in saying that there is a school in
this house whose attachment to free trade is greater than
their attachment to free institutions. We have heard one
hon. gentle nan exclaim " Perish Savoy I " and—
Mr. SPEAKER—Order, order I You roust not refer to
a past debate. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.)
Mr. NEWDEGATE contended that the hon. gentleman
(Mr. Bright) richly deserved the imputation, and said that
the motion he was about to submit would merely give to
those connected with the silk manufactures the seine jus-
tice which was extended to those who were engaged in the
manufacture of glass and corks, and that they would,
notwithstanding all that might have been said against the
prudence of the late Sir R. Peel, in his °Lenges in the
tariff; imitate that statesman—who was valued not less for
his caution than for his other groat qualities—imattempt-
hig to mitigate the effect of these changes. By the privent
arrangement he would be virtually enacting a prohibition
against the admission of our goods into France, and at the
same time losing something like a million sterling. He
hoped, therefore, the house would prevail on the Govern-
ment to delay the carrying into effect this treaty until the
time when France would be able to act with reciprocity.
The Clerk of the house then proceeded to real the peso•
luaons. Having arrived at the article " cork,"
Mr. VANCE said he had been requested by the Dublin
cork-cutters to use his best efforts to prevent the proposed
arrangement with respect to "corks."
Mr. BLAKE stated that his constituents had also in-
formed him (hat the change would operate in a manner ex-
ceeding'y injurious to many families in Waterford engaged
in cork. cutting. If the time could be extended for eighteen
month, tir even a year, it would pr event serious injury, in-
asmuch as it would give young lads engaged in the trade
en opportunity of turning their attention to some other in.
dustrial pursuits. (Hear, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
would propose that corks squared for rounding should be
admitted free of duty for the accommodation of the trade,
and to ract the views of the hen. member (Hr. D1111(41411)6)
with reference to Catalonia, there Was a portion of that
province in which the greater portion of the population
were mak:cutters, and, as far as he could learn, there was
no law in Spain to prevent the exportation of corks bit
there was a municipal regulation to that Keet to, piemt
exportation, through a ffearthiit . PIO `lie ribbed a