The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-25 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL :!5. 1856.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YEsTSRDAY)•

the LORD CHANCtI,LOR took his seat on the woolsack
-0 five o'cloes.
The Earl of St. GERMANS presented several peti-
tions from Manchester, and other places, in favour of
the Marriages Bill.
Lord GAGE presented several petitions in favour of
an amendment of the marriage law.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Cum-
berland complaining of the evils arising from the con-
flicting state of the marriage law in England and Scot-
land.

The Earl of Clarendon entered the house at te❑
minutes after five, for the first time since his return
from Paris, and remained for some minutes i❑ close convey•
ration with the Earl of Aberdeen, the Marquis of Clan-
ricarde, and several other noble lords seated in the front
bench below the gangway. On his lordship taking his usual
seat on the Ministerial bench, the Duke of Cambridge
advanced to the noble earl, and taking a seat' near him,
a seemingly animated conversation was carried on for
some time between them.

The house gradually began to fill, and a large num-
ber of members of the 'Louse of Commons individually
thronged the galleries, and the space in the neighbour-
hood of the Throne and behind the woolsack became
very much crowded, as an explanation from the noble
earl was evidently expected.

the modesty—of the noble earl opposite in answering
my noble friend behind, giving your lordships to believe
that he was present the whole time, that he saw all our"
misfortunes and participated in them. From his high"
position, he was of course looked upon by all on board
as the captain of the vessel--meaning, that is, that he
would stick by her so long as her timbers held together.
Far from that, my noble friend, with his usual sagacity
and acuteness, about half-past 3, seeing bow matters
went, and how unlikely it was that he should see his
home that night, if he stayed with us, deserted the
ship—s(loud laughter)—and, havitv, found very comfort-.
able quarters on the coast of the Isle of Wight, to our'
great consternation hailed a small boat and left us to
our fate. (Renewed laughter.) That fate has not been
at all exaggerated by the noble lord behind me ; for,tbe
rest of the day we were passed by ship after ship, by car-
riage after carriage, and most of us had to walk home
from the Waterloo-station at half-past 3 this morning.
Lord CAMPBELL—I can testify to the great tour.
tesy of the noble earl the President of the Council, so
long indeed as he remained with us, but he cer-
tainly did• desert us in a moment of difficulty.
(Laughter.) As I found it impossible to assist in the ad-
ministration of justice in Westminster-hall on this great,
day, I thought it was my duty to show my respect to
her Majesty, and to join those who were to follow in her
wake when making this great progress through her naval
forces. I certainly met, in common with all of your lord-
ships who were there, with great disappointments. I
acquit her Majesty's Government of all blame for our
late arrival at Southampton, and, although neither my
noble friend nor the First Lord of the Admiralty, nor
the Government generally, can be held responsible for
what followed—for the plan traced out for us was excel-
lent in itself—yet there certainly was gross misconduct
somewhere which really gives one ao idea of what hap-
pened at Balaklava. (Hear.) Nothing happened except
the breaking down of the railway ~eogioes, which could
not have been avoided. There was gross nusmanage-
' merit in having so small a tender to act with such an
enormous steamer as the Transit. It might have been
' easily seen that, under the most favourable circum-
stances, it would have taken an hour or more to transfer
the passengers from one vessel to the other ; and had
there been anything of a swell we never could have all
_got from one vessel to the other. The Transit at last
weighed anchor, but it was necessary for two learned
judges who were on board to work at the capstan.
(Laughter.) We had three right rev. prelates on board,
but 1 do not know whether they lent a hand or not.
One of the Apostles, I believe, was acquainted with na-
vigation, and I have no doubt under similar circum-
stances he would have assisted in the operation. We
really hadgreat reason to complain of the Transit, which,
though a very large vessel, was quite unfit for the ser-
vice. She had two engines, but one of them was per-
manently disabled—(hear)—and the other was soon
made useless b 9 the fires being let out. It was 11 o'clock
before we left Southampton, although we ought to have
left at six o'clock, and such a scene of confusion I hope
I shall never witness again. It certainly reflects very
little credit upon those who ought to have made better
provision. Judges, prelates, and ladies of high rank were
cora übling toeether for places in the train—one would
have thought it was an excursion train to Manchester. I
had the good fortune to get a place, but I was not able
to get home before 4 o'clock this morning. Thanks to
that strength to which my noble friend has alluded, I was
able to attend in my place in the Queen's Bench this
morning, and I am happy to say, therefore, that no ill
consequences ensued to the administration of justice.
The Earl of CARDIGAN wished to know if there was
not some subordinate official at the Admiralty who was
responsible for having selected a vessel in so unfit a
state as the Transit was for the conveyance of their lord-
ships? It was most discreditable that their lordships
should be placed in a vessel which could not make more
than 3) or 4 knots an hour. He was informed that that
vessel had been ordered to the Crimea to convey a por
tion of the army there home, but he hoped that would
not be done until she was put into better condition.
Earl VANE asked why it was that the two Houses of
Parliament had been sent down to Southampton instead
of to Portsmouth ?
Earl GRANVILLE said that it was thought desir-
able that some portion of the persons going to the naval
review should embark at Southampton in order to pre-
vent too great a pressure at Portsmouth.
THE DUCHY OF PARMA.
The Marquis of CLANRICA.RDE then rose to move
for copies of the reports and correspondence of her Ma-
jesty's diplomatic and consular agents in Italy relating
to the occupation of the territory and the assumption of
the executive Government of the duchy of Parma by
Austrian authorities, and for copies of any communica-
tion thereupon between her Majesty's Government and
the Cabinet of Vienna. He said that in asking for these
papers it was not his intention to express any opinion him-
self, and still less to call upon their lordships now to pro-
nounce any judgment on the events which had taken
place in Italy, because he thought it would be premature
to ask kr an expression of opinion on matters about
which they wore imperfectly informed. All that be rose
to ask for was information, and he hoped that it would be
in the power of the Government to give some informar
tion on tee important facts and events which had oc-
curred, for ha believed them to be of so grave a character
that it was necessary they should be considered not
merely by the servants of the Crown, but also by the
Parliament of this c iuntry. Their lordships were aware
that the state of the Government in the norther❑ part of
Italy—in the Duchy of Parma—had been for some time
unsatisfactory and ,feeble, as had been shown by the
results. Great discontent and political dissatisfaction
prevailed among the people ; and, more than that, there
had arisen a contempt of law and a general aversio❑
from recognised authority and order of such a character
as had led to lamentab!e, consequences and threatened
graver results. It was on these pretences, and in some
degree, it might be said, for these reasons, that the Aus-
trian forces had oecupied the Grand Duchy of Parma.
'That was a fact which he presumed was notorious, but
if tee rumours in circulation were c irrect, it was not
mei ely a military occupatio❑ which the Austrians had
effected over the whole country, but it was, in fact, a
seizure of the Government. If the Austrian Govern-

went had sent a force, at the call of the reigning family,
to save the Duchess Regent from any personal danger,
such a step would not have been at variance with a
course of proceeding which had taken place in other
countric ; but, if the accounts were true, the Austrian
Government had practically taken political as well as
military possession of Parma. It was stated that
the Ministry of Finance and the Post-office were
under the authority of the Austrians, and that they
occupied such an extent of country as showed that
they were there not for the protection of the reigning
family, but that their occupation amounted, in point
cf fact, to a seizure of the whale country. He was
not going now to discus the character of such an occupa-
tion, the consequecces to which it might lead, or the ef-
fect it woul t have on the territorial arrangements of
Europe and the balance of power. Nor did he intend to
enter upon the state of Italy, both north and south, on
which these transactions mast have a great influence.
Alt he wanted was to have information respecting what
had taken place, and respecting the attitude assumed by
the Government of this country and by the other great
European Powers. If the accounts were true, it did not
appear that the Austrians had occupied the Duchy of
Parma with the vies, of suppressing any armed insurrec-
tion, for of such insurrection there was no account ; but
it seem d that their forces were so disposed as to be in
preparation for further aggression against other territory,
tells excluding the idea that the occupation was for the
purpose of putting an end to some immediate disorder,
insurrect on, or rebellion threatening to the Government
or to the person or family of the Duchess of Parma. He
trusted that the noble earl the Secretar: for Foreign Af-
fairs, if he should think it necessary to refuse the motion
for the production of papers, would nevertheless be able
to put their lordships in possession of such information
as it was undoubtedly necessary they should have, for it
would be very lamentable if, after the end of one war by
a peace which they thought would be satisfactory, they
should be brought into another war, which might prove
more lasting and costly than that which was now happily
ended.
The Earl of CLARENDON, who was received with
cheers on presenting himself to the house, said—l am
sure my noble friend will not expect me to enter into
any general explanation on the subject he has brought
before your lordships, because the noble and learned
lord opposite has given notice of a motion which I.
understand is of such a comprehensive nature as will
bring the whole subject under consideration, and I
hope shortly to be able to show the house that the
question of Italy has not been disregarded by the Go-
vernment. lam at present unable to lay before
your lordships any correspondence to throw light on the
events which have taken place in Italy ; but I am pre-
pared, in answer to my noble friend, to give him such
information as we possess. It appears that ever since the
assassination of the late duke Parma has been in au un-
settled state, for which I do not believe that the Duchess
Regent is to blame. Her Government has been wise and
moderate, and I believe she has displayed great forbear-
ance and good sense ; but the Government is weak in
Parma, which has been the resort of persons desirous
of promoting political troubles; and it is said that the
agents of secret societies have been particularly active
there. The unsettled state of affairs continued to prevail,
and the person who conducted the investigation into the
assassination of the Duke of Parma, and others employed
in the judicial investigation of political offences, appeared
destined to the same fate. A dangerous spirit having
been manifested, and considerable public alarm having
been the consequence of these acts, the Duchess Regent
declared Parma in a state of siege, and the Austrian
general Crenneviile, as senior officer, took the supreme
command. But as I gather from my noble friend, he ap-
pears to think that Austrian interference took place in
consequence of recent events. Such has not been the
case. A treaty was agreed to between Modena and the
late Duke of Parma in the year 1847 or 1848, by which
these sovereigns were entitled to call upon Austria, and
Austria was bound to send a sufficient force to maintain
irder if public tranquillity were likely to be disturbed.
I his was done in 1549, and there has been since that time
in Austrian battalion in Parma or the neighbourhood.
General Crenneville, when the state of siege was de-
clared, wrote word that he should not require to have
another man sent to him. There was, therefore, no
special intervention, and no increased number of
forces beyond that which Austria had already. in the

duchy. I am not able to give my noble iriend any
account of the other events to which he alluded—of
certain official persons being turned out of office ; but
I believe I am correct in saying that which I ani assured
from Vienna, that there has been great exaggeratio❑
in the newspapers as to the account of Austrian force in
the territory bordering upon Sardinia, and that troops
have not, as reported, been sent in that direction.
DIFFERENCES WITH THE UNITED STATES.

The Earl of DERBY—I wish to ask the noble earl
when the Government will be prepared to lay on the
table the correspondence relative to two subjects of im-
portance connected with the United StateQ. With re-
gard to Central America the correspondence bag, I be-
lieve, long since been closed, and I have reason to be-
lieve that the correspondence relative to the enlistment
within the territory of the United States has also been
brought to a conclusion. It is evident, from the impor-
tance of these subjects, that no time ought to be lost in
giving full information both to this and the other House
of Parliament. I believe that the noble lord at the head
of the Government has repeatedly promised in the other
house that there should be no delay in producing this
correspondence, but if the noble earl had known the
noble viscount as long as I, he svould know that no per-
son is more ingenious in protracting the production of
an unpleasant correspondence until it is impossible to
discuss it. (Laughter.) I hope, now that the noble
earl opposite has returned, we shall have the correspon-
dence on both these subjects laid before Parliament.
Lord CLARENDON—My first act to-night was to
lay on the table the correspondence on the subject of
Central America. With regard to the other subject, I
hope to lay the papers on the table on the first or se-
cond day of next week.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--(rEsTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Cambridge University and Town bill and the
East Somerset Railway bill were read a third time and
passed.
Mr. WICKFIA.M presented petitions from the guar-
dians of the poor of Bradford Union against the Vaccina-
tion Bill ; also a petition from the managers, agents, and
others of the Low Moor Iron Works, Bradford, pray-
ing for the establishment of a decimal system of coinage
and accounts. _

Several petitions were presented against the Vaecina-
ion Bill.

CLERKS OF THE PEACE.
Mr. LASLETT moved for a return from the Clerks of
the Peace of the counties of England and Wales, of the
names of the places appointed in each county, and divi-
sion of counties, for taking the poll at elections for
knights of the shire, and the number of electors assigned
to vote at each of such polling places.—Agreed to.

TORTURE IN INDIA.
Mr. OTWAY gave notice that, on the 25th of May,
he should call the attention of the house to the subject
of torture in India.
MILITARY BRANCHES OF THE ORDNANCE.

Captain L. VERNON asked the Under Secretary for
War, whether, now that the military branches of the
Ordnance are transferred to the Horse Guards, the
General Officers from the Scientific Corps would be em-
ployed as General Officers o❑ the Staff, in due propor-
tion with the General Officers taken from other branches
of the service ?

_ .
Mr. F. PEEL said that no objection would be raised
to the employment of the officers mentioned, but they
must be limited to 1 in 20.

INDIAN LAW COMMISSION.
Mr. ATHERTON asked the President of the Board
of Contr4l whether any steps had been taken, oz were
contemplated, for carrying out the suggestions of the
Commissioners appointed under the Act 16 and 17
Victoria, c. 95, s. 28, to consider the recommendations
and enactments of the Indian Law Commissioners ;
whether any measure is to be introduced, and when,
for giving legislative sanction to such of those sugges-
tions as require it ; and, whether it was intended to
give further time, beyond the 20th day of August next,
to the present or any other Commissioners, for framing
a twdy of substantive Civil Law for the whole of India,
as recommended by the Second Report ?
Mr. V. SMITS said the report bad been sent out to
to dia in order to receive the comments of the Council.
If the comments arrived in time it was possible he might
introduce a bill on the subject. The second part of the
hon. gentleman's question depended entirety on the first.

THE NAVAL REVIEW.
Mr. STAFFORD—Sir, in rising to move that this
house do now adjourn, I beg to express my strong sense
of the excellence of the Government arrangements yester
day. (Loud cheers) Having witnessed the arrangements
of the Government both at home and abroad, I desire to
testify to the oneness of the system and the similarity of
the principle on which it is based. (Cheers and laughter.)
It was not possible for the Government at so short a no.'
tice to cover the docks of Southampton with mud, nor
are they responsible for the sunshine ; but in as far as in
them lies they did their best to make that particular loca-
lity resemble Balaklava as much as possible. (Cheers and
laughter.) Whether we consider the character of those
for whose comfort and convenience they undertook to
arrange the proximity of the point of embarkation to the
scene of the review, or the facilities afforded at the sptc-
tante itself, I think there will be no difference of opinion
either in this house or the country at large as to the
merit or demerit due to them. (Cheers.) You, wr, I
understand, were kept waiting nearlytwo h ours —(se v eral
voices, " Four hours")—without being able, as we may
say, to form a house—(a laugh)—and when hon. mem-
bers did arrive I apprehend you never saw a house so
perplexed. (Laughter.) But, whatever may have been
the fate of the House of Commons, that of the other
house was, I understand, even worse. I have been in-
formed that it was not till broad daylight this morning
that those members of the House of Lords who trusted

implicitly to the arrangements of the Government were
able to reach their homes. The lay lords, I undentand
—at all events the greater part cf them—have already
recovered, but some of the bishops are completely ex-
hati,,t.,l. (Great laughter.) Still, lam given to under-
stand that these right rev. prelates will soon recover,
and therefore we may congratulate ourselves that
no member of either House of Parliament has been
drowned upon this occasion. Fur that we desire
to tender our best thanks to the Government.
Whether their arrangements were made for the pur-
pose of predisposing our minds to peace, whether the
terms of that peace might be, by enabling us to see to
what hands we were to intrust the management of our

fleets—(cheers)—l will not preiume to say. We have
tried our Government upon two elements, land and

water, and it only remains to test them upon that more
inflatnrueble element to which the right hon. gentleman
opposite intends to call the attention or the house next
week. I would suggest that among the other fireworks
with which the public are to be amused :n the course of
a few days ono special illumination should be dedicated
to the safe return of those members of Parliament w:-.o
intrusted their persons to the awkward keeping of her
Majesty's Government. (Cheers and laughter.)
Lord IV. POWLE PT—I can corroborate from per-
sonal observation and experience what has fallen from
the hon. gentleman as to the extremely discreditable na-
ture of the proceedings yesterday from beginning to end.
(Cheers.) Undoubtedly the Government are not respon-
sible for the misconduct of the railway company, but
they should have taken care that the ships appointed
to convey the two houses of Parliament to the scene of
the great spectacle were all in an effective state. (Hear.)
It so happened that, being in Southampton at an early
hour, I was desired by a person on board the steamer
allotted to the House of Lords to take my place in that
vessel, because, in all probability, the House of Com-
mons would not arrive till a quarter-past four—(a laugh)
—I accordingly went on board the Transit, where I re-
mained the whole day, but I must say that a more dis-
creditable state of things I never witnessed. (Hear.)
The whole of the machinery was out of order ; it not
only broke down, but we were detained half•an-hour at
a time, and I was told by the captain himself that he
knew the machinery was in an inefficient state. I think,
sir, that the head of the Admiralty ought to have ascer-
tained whether the ships were in au effective state or not.
But the worst is yet to come. We did not arrive at Spit-
head until the review was over, and when we reached
Southampton in the evening there was no train waiting
for the House of Lords. We were detained an hour until
one was formed in the station, and the journey to this
metropolis occupied four hours and a-half, the train
going at the rate of 10 miles an hour. (Laughter.) I
must say, Sir, in conclusion, that the proceedings of
yesterday reflect great credit neither upon the members
of the Government nor upon the directors of the South-
Western Railway. (Cheers.)
Mr. 0. STANLEY.—I do not know whether the
First Lord of the Admiralty is in his place or not—(cries
of "He is not," and laughter)—but, the house will re-
collect that, when I put the question to him a few days 1
ago as to the arrangements which had been made fur
conveying us to the scene of the review, the right hon.
gentleman informed me that if I did not like to go I
might remain at home. I have only to say now that, if
be had told me what his arrangements were, I should
have been glad to remain at home. (Cheers.)
Lord PA LMERSTON.—I would suggest that it
would be better t• postpone this discussion until
my right honourable friend the First Lord of the
Admiralty returns to town, his duties detaining
him for the present at Portsmouth. (Laughter.) I
really see no occasion for laughter in that statement.
I am unable, of course, to explain the nature of the ar-
rangements which were made by the Admiralty, but
when toy right hon. friend shall be in his placel erasure
that he will be able to show that the Admiralty made
the best arrangements which could prospectively be male
for such an occasion. That there was undoubtedly great
delay in getting from London either to Portsmouth or
Southampton I myself can bear witness, for I was in the
railway train from 7 o'clock until past 12 on the journey
between Waterloo station and Portsmouth. When we
arrived at Bishopsteke it was intimated to us that the
tide had ebbed, and thatthere would be considerable dif-
fichlty in getting to our vessel at Spithead. lam told
that it was so ; and that no doubt produced a difficulty
in getting from Southampton to the vessels which were
destined to convey us to Spithead. lam sure that my
right hon. friend will deeply regret if there was say error
in the arrangements ;..4t I would again-subiNl to the