The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAV7EvENING, AUGITST,IB, flak

service, and therefore by putting him over the heads of men
who the Government themselves said must know their pro-
fession better they were doing an injustice to the unpaid
magistracy and the police themselves. Therefore lie
thought the right hon. gentleman had made a mistake in
dealing with this question.
SACRIFICE OF HUMAN LIFE IN DAHOMEY.
Lord FERMOY proceeded to say he had now to call the
attention of the house to a very different subject—he meant
the notice he had placed on the paper with regard to the
very serious sacrifice of human life which was about to take
place in Africa. The noble lord then read the paragraph
which had recently appeared in the newspapers stating that
the King of Dahomey intended to celebrate the religious
rites connected with his father's death by the sacrifice of
2,000 human beings, whose blood he had resolved to trea-
sure until there was sufficient to float a canoe. He thought
that even now there would be ample time to make an effec-
tual remonstrance to the King of Dahomey, because it
would probably take six months or more for the King of
Dahomey to find out where the weak tribes were.

Mr. KINNAIRD joined his entreaties to those of th
noble lord, that the Government would take some steps bye
ordering the officer in command off the coast of Africa to
try and put a stop to this barbarous custom.

meats to the people to take up arms against the Power that
was then oppressing them, and they did so upon the faith
that they would be better treated. He did all in his power,
and so did Admiral Stopford, to adjust the quarrel; but
before the ink was dry on the treaty which he made, the
Turkish Government broke faith in the matter. If hon.
gentlemen would look into the blue-books of the time, they
would see that 30,000 people were sacrificed on that occasion.
He believed now, as then, that it would be better if both
the Druses and the Alaronites were placed under the rule
of the Turkish Government than be under the monster
governor who put Christians to the sword. It was a dan-
gerous thing to allow the French to go into and occupy
Syria, where they would, he believed, act as they had done
in the case of Rome. They would try to remain there, but
he would far sooner see the French altogether in possession
of Syria to seeing such scenes of tyranny, blood, and mas-
sacre as were now taking place there. It was necessary
that some steps should be taken ; and upon that point he
remembered having heard the noble lord at the head of the
Government, in 1811, make a speech in which he called
upon Lord Derby's Government to come forward and do
something to mitigate the condition of the people in the
Lebanon.

Lord PALMERSTON said he was sorry that his hon.
and gallant friend the member for Roscommon (Colonel
French, who ejaculated an expression) had nothing better
to do than invariably launching arrows at his noble
friend the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (the Earl of Car-
lisle). He assured the hon. and gallant member that he
would receive no sympathy in those attacks, either from
those who intimately knew his noble friend, or those who
had traced his noble friend's conduct, because everybOdy
who knew him professionally and intimately, must be aware
that there never was a man of high position who got
through his work with a more hearty desire to promote
good feeling among all men. (Hear.) With regard to his
hon. friend the member for Marylebone (Lord Fermoy) who
made some observations in reference to the conduct of the
King of Dahomy, he might say that the matters t) which
his noble friend had referred had for a long time occupied
the attention of her Majesty's Goveinment ; and he re-
membered when he, some years ago, was in the Foreign-
office' he did all in his power to persuade the former K'ng
of Dahomy to abandon his habit of sacrificinghuman beings
and selling others into slavery. They sent two or three
missions to him, and ha was sorry to say when they arrived
there they found the walls that surrounded his palace de-
corated with human skulls. He thought their representa-
tions on the occasion had some good effect. But with re-
gard to an interference by force, the territory of Dahomy
was situated at such a considerable distance in the interior
of the country that it would be impossible for European
troops to advance to it. He cord assure the hon. gentle-
man that her Majesty's Government would do all in their

power to put a stop to those horrible massacres. This prac-
tice had arisen to a great extent from the system of slavery
prevailing in that country—not that sort of slavery which
his noble friend (Lord Fermoy) had referred to, and which
had nothing to do with the internal arrangements of Africa,
and which system of slavery the Government had laboured
so much to put an grid to. He would remind the noble lord
that the capture of Lagos, and other circumstances con-
nected with that matter, had very much diminished the
means of the chiefs of the interior, who were in the habit
of capturing persons for the purpose of sending them out of
the country. It was the chiefs alone who drug to this traffic,
because they derived from it a revenue more easily ob-
tained than they could from their subjects by legitimate
means. The people abominated, and were certainly the vic-
tims of it. The only difficulty was to persuade certain chiefs
who derived pecuniary profit from the trade to abandon it,
but unfortunately they were stimulated to pursue this un-
holy traffic by men who, being citizens of civilised coun-
tries, ought to be ashamed of themselves. His hon. friend
the member for Perth had asked whether any instructions
had been given to Lord Dufferin to rescue the women car-
ried away from the Maronites. Representations had b: en
made to her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople to
co-operate with Lord Dufferin to accomplish that humane
object. (Hear, hear.) With regard to those two chiefs,
Kurschid Pasha and Osmen Bey, one of them being a mili-
tary officer, they were sent to Constantinople to be tried,
but whether they were received with military honours or
not he could not say, but they were sent back from Con-
stantinople to Syria, where he hoped they would receive the
reward due to their atrocities. His right hon. friend the
member for Limerick had adverted to the general question
of the state of Syria, and seemed to imagine that the recent
events arose from the tyranny of the Turkish Government.
But so far from that being the case, those disturbances
arose from the absence of any sufficient authority on the
part of the Turks.
Mr. MONSELI, said he did not say the tyranny of the
Turks was the cause of it, but he thought the Turks set the
Druses against the Maronites.

Lord PALMEBSTON said his hon. friend held the Go-
vernment respoasbie for those events. He (Lord Palmer-
ston) denied this responsibility. There were strange reports
abroad as to who were the aggressors. Some reports
stated that the Maronites were the aggressors, but it
would not be prudent to offer an opinion either way with
the information .n the possession of the Government.
His gallant fricul (Sir C. Napier) had distinguished him-
self not only as anaval and military commander, but as a
negotiator, for hewas able in the three capacities ; he first
achieved the victiry of Acre, then on land he defeated the
forces of Ibraham Pacha, and afterwards extorted in Alex-
andria a good treaty from Mehemet Ali. After that treaty
an arrangement 'vas made with the Government of the dis-
trict ; but instead of being carried on by the direct autho-
rity of the Sultau it was agreed that it should be done by
two
govern the Maronites, and another to
govern hie
the chiefs, one
D rust:;
, but both to be subordinate to the Sul-
tan. -Prima facie, one would imagine that would be a good
c
statel° each tribe would be governed by a chief
of
Colt it would be more likely they would be
well
being under the direct authority of a
Turkish commander, Wheh he (Lord Palmerston) was
at the Foreign Of h,,
itso fown,
governedthinagn s
d'
than
it was the constant endeavour cf the
Constantinople Govirnment to overthrow that system of go-
vernment, and place Syria on the same system as other
provinces. Therefo, so far from the arrangement being
favourable to Turkiai tyranny, it was directed, specifically
secure the Governts
raiv the direct action of the Turks and
int of the two tribes under chiefs of
tdhireeirctoewd,ntri wicetth:lttough you could not expect it, among
half civilised countres where there were two races who
had been from time itimemorial in hostility against each
other, yet from 1811 down to the present time nothing had
happened to be at allcompared to the atrocious practices
which we had heard. (Hear.) He was
olt the table the instructions given to
Lord Dufferin, but hecould assure his hon. friend that one
of the noble lord's
duties, in conjunction with his col-
leagues, would be to inquire fully into the state of Syria and
notand preparedeala i e
tos ol
f a
ascertain whea t y
welfare
to h
em of Government would be most con-
ducive
pre-
vent a repetition of those disgraceful scenes between those
t s st
and benefit of both parties, and

races.
Thehe
vote houseof
thenz:it into committee of supply.
T
000 for the disembodied militia was
agreed to.
D 20,355 for fortifications at home and
abTrohee next vote wag
abroad.

he
regretted the Govetionsmay Government, h
Sir F. SMITH expressed his general approval of the
plans f
With
o urledg
at ar re dm
et
mo
hDoor vt ehr
e, hp
lo
owe e
for er,
half -
y ; they had been patching up the works
there all that time. The commissioners said that if there
were no works at Dover already, it would be a question
as to whether that place should or should not be fortified,
and yet a large stn u was now to be expended on it. Would
ev:a century
any man pretend to tell them that Dover would be the
place to effect a hostile landing ? He thought not. The
works proposed by the commissioners—if works were want-
ing at all—was no doubt a sound proposition; but on the
showing of the commissioners themselves the works were
not necessary. Good field-works would meet all the neces-
sities of the case, as they were only to occupy a point
which they did not want their enemy to have. The next
item was for the purchase of land at Alderney. He thought
that island should be held, and believed it cou'd be held,
whether the other Channel Islands could be held or not.
As to Portland, he thought £169,000 was much too large a
sum to place on the end of a breakwater. The next point
was the line at Stokes Bay, which ho believed was one of
at importance, and ought to be completed at once, and
thengre they .were secure at any rate in the Solent. The
same might be said of Southsea, and with the whole lino of
the Solent thus guarded theymight go to sleep in confidence.
Withrespect to the defences of our commercial harbours he
thought earthworks would suffice for them, and they should
be carried out at once. They might be completed in 12 months.
They would thus give satisfaction to the commercial com-
munity, and they would get plenty of volunteers to man
those works. With regard to Malta, anything that could be
done to strengthen the island he was sure would prove to be
money well laid out, as it would be a tempting place incase
of war with France, or France and Russia. As to what
the noble viscount stated the other night about two gunners
being enough to each gun, he (Sir F. Smith) had certainly
never expressed or ever held such an opinion, particularly
with regard to naval guns, where celerity of action was of
the greatest importance. He thought there should be six
well•trained gunners to each gun. He hoped the plans
would be laid on the library table if possible, so that they
might be consulted by professional members. They ought
to hive before them the plans in as complete a form as the
Government could present them. The House of Commons,
which had to vote the money, ought to be made aware of
the full details.
Mr. W. S. LINDSAY asked where they were going to
end with these fortifications ? As to Dover, they ought not
to be asked for more money for that place that night, after
whet the commissioners had said on the subject. He
thought it the grossest absurdity that ever entered into the
wird of man to think seriously that France or any other
country would venture to invade England with her
25,300,000 of free and intelligent people. (Hear.) But, if
they did so, certainly they would not land under the cliffs
f Dover. (Hear.) If fortifications were needed anywhere
they were needed in commercial harbours ; but he did not
think they were wanted even there. There would be a re.
action from the profusion with which money was lIQW voted
for these purposes, and, in the course of a year or so, his
views on the subjeet would booms generally prevalent,
and then there would be a reckless cutting down of
all these items; and an abandonment of works and disarm..

ment of ships, which would lead to enormous waste and ex-
travagance.
Mr. WARRE was understood to defend the fortifica-
tion of Dover. He now referred to facts. In 1797 the
French actually effected a landing with a hostile force at
Killala, on the shores of Ireland. They were certainly a
small force ; and were, by superior numbers, induced to
lay down their arms. Now, it was quite clear that some of
the expedition which sailed on that occasion. from France
for the invasion of Ireland, escaped the vigilance of the
British fleet. He maintained, then, that the construction
of fortifications was a step in the right direction.
Sir DE LACY EVANS said for his part he could not,
looking at the present unsettled state of Europe, say what
might or might not be the state of their affairs and posi-
tion this time twelve months. The question was not one of
pounds, shillings, and pence, but of national honour and
security. With respect to Dover, he must remark to hon.
gentlemen who seemed not to attach much importance to the
strengthening of that position, that it was a very important
one, and would be a position of great importance in the
hands of all French if they could avail themselves of it.
He could not but express his surprise that the heights of
Dover had not been properly fortified long before this.
He, however, heard that there was to be a tower of great
height to be constructed at the head of the pier, with em-
brasures for 100 guns. Now, it was all very desirable to
be prepared to give an invading enemy a warm reception ;
but in his opinion 40 or 50 guns, and a garrison would be
amply sufficient for that purpose. With regard to the for-
tifications of Portsdown Hill, commanding Portsmouth, he 11
understood that it was to be armed with 226 guns. Now,
they were not sure if the French were to land, that they
would be able to hold the position; and in his humble
opinion, he would suggest that a few mortars and move-
able 12-pounders would be far more effective on the
heights. With respect to their troops, he did not think
they were sufficiently employed, and ho was of opinion
that if the troops in the garrison of Portsmouth
were employed upon the engineering construction
of the fortifications, it would prove beneficial to the men,
and a saving of expenditure to the country.
Colonel DICKSON begged respectfully to differ from the
hon. and gallant general, in the opinion he had expressed
in reference to what he considered the inactive cendition of
the garrison of Portsmouth. The gallant general was in
that opinion quite mistaken. The case was otherivise, and
the garrison of Portsmouth, so far from not being actively
employed, had actually only three nights a-week in bed.
After a few words from Mr. DODSON, in relation to the
Armstrong gen and the Mar Cello Towers, the purpot% of
which did not reach the ga"ery,
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said that two places to be
fortified, and which were mentioned in the vote, were Har-
wich, in Essex, and Newhaven, in Sussex, and with re-
gard to them and other places mentioned in the vote, Sir
John Burgoyne said the works were of great consequence.
The sum to be voted for them was £5,000, and the whole
vote was £lO,OOO. Nothing, it would be admitted, could be
more unwise than to leave works of the description in
question in a weak state, and what was doing was to
strengthen their politions. The gallant member for Chat-
ham asked why they did not complete the works; and he
agreed with him that it was desirable to do so; but the
works in question were supplemental works so those already
completed, and would be finished in a couple of years ;
otherwise it would take them five and twenty years to com-
plete the whole. He had arranged that there should be a
working committee to draw up plans, and when done they
would be submitted to experienced officers. Colonel
Harness was one of those who was appointed to examine
the plans. He assrred the committee that everything
would be done in the most efficient manner. He was
anxious to have the most satisfactory system of
checks and tuts. He was indebted to the hon. and
gallant officer the member for Westminster, for the sugges-
tions he had made in relation to Portsdown Hill. On that
point he had heard that opinion before, and that the guns
to be employed should be of a light and moveable descrip-
tion. Gosport and Portland were of the places to be strength-
ened. None of the works were exactly new, and votes for
them had already been sanctioned by Parliament.
Mr. WILLIAMS objeci:ed to the proposed expenditure
as vast and unnecessary.
The vote was agreed to.
The following votes were also agreed to
£277,547 fir: education and scientific branches.
£25,390, rewards for military services.
£75,860, pay of general officers.
£492,357, p_:.y of reduced officers.
£181,523, widows' pensions and compensation allow-
ances.
£44,123, pensions and allowances to wounded officers.
A vote of £136,837 for superannuation allowances having
been proposed,
Mr. AYRTON observed that the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sioners were not justified in giving the Dean of York £2,000
a-year. The result was, that this gentleman was to
have a retrospective right to this sum from the death of his
predecessor. (Hear, hear.) It was the duty of the commit
tee to expiess an opinion with respect to this matter.
Mr. WILLIAMS expressed his surprise that the Go-
vernment should have brought forward this vote.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that if it was intended to censure
the commissioners for raising the stipend of the Dean of
York a specific motion ought to have been made on the
subject. He must say that the faith of Parliament was
pledged to the vote before the Committee for the Ecclesias-
tical Commissions, and that was the reason why the vote
was brought forward.
After a short discussion, the house divided, when there
appeared--

For the vote ..... 45
Against it .

Majority — 1
The vote was then agreed to ; as was also a vote of
£17,070 to pay the salaries of the Charity Commissioners
in England and Wales.
The next vote proposed was the sum of £25,480 to com-
plete the sum of £37,000 for temporary commissions.
Mr. E. JAMES said he should move to reduce the vote
by £777.
After a few words by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL,
Mr. WYLD took exception to a sum of £363 7s. Id. for
the surveys and plans prepared at the Ordnance Survey
Office, Southampton.
Mr. S. HERBERT explained the grounds upon which
the item of expense was incurred, and said he did not think
it by any means overpayment for the work done.
Mr. WYLD objected to the officers and men being with-
drawn from ether surveys and placed in the votes in the
manner described.
Mr. E. JAMES, after some observations by Mr. Mon-
sell and by Mr. Mellor, who :hoped he would withdraw his
amendment, expressed his surprise at the Attorney-General
charging him with the imputation of ignorance of the sub-
ject on which he spoke. He could, however, bear that taunt,
coming as it did from her Majesty's Attorney-General
(laughter)—and he believed that he quite as well under-
stood the subjects which be spoke upon as the hon. and
learned gentleman did. He begged, in conclusion, to with-
draw his amendment.
The vote was then agreed to.
The following votes were also agreed to :
£28,299 to defray the expenses of the Commissioners un-
der the Patent Law Amendment Act.
£12,998 for the Fisheries Board in Scotland.
£2,000 for the Board of Manufactures to discharge the
equivalents under the Treaty of Union.
£5,000 for Highland roads and bridges.
£9OO for the publication of the ancient laws and institu-
tions of Ireland.
£58,700 for the Merchant Seaman Fund.
£20,000 for distressed seamen abroad.
£4,000 for the quarantine service ; and
£50,000 for dues on foreign ships.
It was moved that a grant of £25000 be made for a
bounty on slaves, &c.
Mu. VANCE moved that the Chairman do report pro-
gress.

Lord PALMERSTON hoped the motion would not be
pressed.
Lord C. HAMILTON supported the motion,
The CHAIRMAN then reported progress.
The votes for the British Museum and the Kensington
Museum were fixed for to-morrow.
Mr. CONINGHAM protested against their being taken
before Monday, as so many members would bo out of tot
on Saturday.
•
METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE (DOCKYARDS)
(No. 2) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
NAVAL DISCIPLINE BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. WILLIAMS opposed the bill, and wanted, before
he was asked to 'cote upon it, to read the bill and to hear
the noble lord's explanations on the subject. He would
not object to taking it to .morrow.
Mr. LINDSAY hoped they would take the second read-
ing then, as there was no objection to the principles of the
bill, and in committee would be the fittest time to discuss
the details.
The second reading was then agreed to.
PARTY EMBLEMS (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Mr. P. HENNESSY moved as an amendment that the
bill should go into committee on that day three months.
Mr. CARDWELL said that the house had assented to
the bill by a considerable majority, and ho therefore hoped
the house would at once go into committee.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For going into committee • 53
Against it
22
Majority for going into committee —3l
The house then went into committee, when, on the
motion of Mr. CARDIVELL,
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and the house re-
sumed.
The report of supply was brought tip and received.
EAST INDIA LOAN BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
The Conjugal Rights (Scotland) Bill was read a third
time.

The Attorneys and Solicitors, Proctors, &c., Bill was
read a third time.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
house adjourned at two o'clock.