The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-09 00:00:00

will increase our commercial intercourse with France, to
the advantage of both nations.

Sir S. NORTHCOTE sincerely agreed with the right
hon. gentleman in one respect, namely, in hoping that the
question raiseny the motion of the noble lord wouldnotbe
mixed up with that of the commercial treaty. (Hear, hear.)
He had scrupulously abstained from throwing any undue
impediment in the way of the treaty ; but when they were
invited to receive it not only with approbation but with
applause, he thought that hon. members were entitled to
look closely at its provisions. With regard to coal, the
right hon. gentleman said it was a legal question, and yet
that it was to be interpreted in a commercial sense. He (Sir
S. Northcote) confessed he could not see the force of this
distinction. It must have been inserted with some object,
and he wished to inquire what the Emperer's motive was
Now, he did happen to remember the controversy which
arose last year as to the proclamation which was issued re •
specting goods contraband of war, as he was at that time
Secretary of the Treasury. By that proclamation it was
announced that persons who exported goods of that cha-
racter would be liable to the penalties of maritime law. He
thought it very evident that the meaning and intention of
the article was to prevent us taking any step to prohibit the
exportation of coal to France in case of war. That might ba
said to be all nonsense, as France could in such a case have
supplies of coal from Belgium and other countries ; but
supposing it was a war in which Belgium was also inte-
rested, so as to desire to prohibit the exportation of her
coal—supposing she trembled for her security and wished
to cripple Fiance? There might be many cases in
which it might obviously be desirable for this country
to exercise that right to prohibit the exportation of coal
which the Government had gratuitously and for no pur-
pose whatever surrendered. If he had not rightly de-
scribed the real object of the treaty, what was its object ?
An hon. member had said that this article was superfluous
because the English Government was not likely to prohibit
the exportation of coal. : No doubt they would never pro-
hibit its exportation for commercial purposes, and if they
looked at the article in the treaty in acommercial sense, the
article was entirely useless, as the Emperor of the French
must know perfectly well. The French Government has
suggested that article for no other but a political design, as
her Majesty's Government had—he would not say been en-
trapped—but induced to insert it, thus placing themselves
in a position which it was undesirable they should hold,
because it interfered with the free exercise of their judg-
ment. The treaty had many good points about it, but it
fettered their hands for ten years and took away their
liberty of action to regulate their affairs for their own good
• daring that period
Mr. HORSMAN moved the adjournment of the debate.
Lord PALMERSTON hoped the house would divide
upon the amendment, and then allow the debate to be ad-
journed upon the original motion.
Mr_ HOP SMAN withdrew his motion.
Mr. WALPOLE suggested that as the word "system"
in the original motion was an analogous term which must
mean free trade, reciprocity, or something else, the words
"the treaty " should be substituted.
Lord PALME RSTON considered the word system a
proper one, but if greater preference was expressed in favour
of the word treaty he did not know that there would be any
objection. But, to do that, it would be necessary that the
noble lord should withdraw his amendment, as the motion
stood that the words proposed to be left out stand part of
the question.
Mr. BOUVERIE offered a suggestion on the points of
form.

Lord A. V. TEMPEST withdrew his amendment, and
on the motion of Mr. Horsman the debate was ad-
journed.
The Isle of Man Harbour Bill was read a second time.
The Spirits (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill was read a
third time and passed.
The Oxford University Bill was considered as amended,
and agreed to.
The house rose at a quarter past 12.

COUNTRY IkrARIBTS

MANCHESTER—MaRcH 8.

Wheat in slow request, at the sztreme rates of Thursday
last. Flour at former rates, and dull of sale. Oats and
oatmeal a steady sale-. Beans and Indian corn were in
fair request,