The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-12 00:00:00

tation of our shores. (Hear.) The hon. and gallant ad-
miral has alluded to some observations which I made on
the probability of war, under certain circumstances,
with France ; but, without reviving any controversy on
remind the house that that was
those expressions, I may
an opinion given upon the assumption that there were
eufficienf, or at least important, causes at work, and had
been long at work, that might have produced so lament-
able and disastrous a result. At the present moment,
however, so far as France is concerned, we are not only
in frequent but constant communication, and if it were
the wish or supposed interest of France to pick
a quarrel with England, many opportunities might
easily be obtained, when we are combining together to
regulate the affairs of Europe under difficult circum-
stances, by which such an unfortunate state of affairs
might be brought about. I am bound to say, in answer
to this question of the hon. and gallant gentleman, that
he really has made no statement to the house by which
he can substantiate his assertion that vast war:ike pre-
parations are being made by France at this moment by
sea and land. He has laid no foundation to induce the
house to believe that there is a state of affairs existing at
this moment with respect to our relations with that
Power under this particular bead of armament different
from that which he admits existed a considerable time
since. No information has reached her Majesty's Go-
vernment that there are being made at this moment those
extraordinary preparations by sea and land of which he
has spoken. (Hear,) I need not reassure the house that
at the present moment the relations between the two
countries are of a cordial and confidential nature—(hear)
—and that at this moment we are acting with the prin-
cipal Powers of Europe, and especially with. France, in
the management and regulation of most delicate and im-
portant interests, under circumstances which certainly
would seem to indicate that the object, .1 and such hope
will be the result, of all our labours is the maintenae ce
of the peace of Europe, and not its outrageous disturb-
ance, as the hon. and gallant admiral has anticipated.
But, though the gallant admiral has limited his questions
to inquiries as to some parts of Europe, he has travelled
across the Atlantic and reminded us that troubles are
preparing for us in America. Unquestionably the house
is now familiar with the circumstances. It is possible
that, from the excited state of feeling that prevails in the
"United States upon a particular subject, embarrassing
and even mischievous results might occur in the interval
that would elapse before communications from this coun-
try had reached the Government of America. But these
are accidents which no policy can possibly guard
against ; and, remembering the natural sympathy
that exists between the citizens of the United States
and the subjects of her Majesty, and that between
the existing Government of the United States and her
Majesty's Government upon all the great principles of
policy which should regulate their relations there is a
complete accordance, I will not anticipate that those em-
barrassing and mischievous accidents would occur. I
will hope that, these unfortunate accidents not taking
place, there would be that which I am convinced will be
the result, a complete understanding between the two
Governments upon those circumstances which have cer-
tainly for a moment placed our relations in considerable
danger. But, speaking generally upon the subject, what
I venture to impress upon the house is that it is not the
policy or the interest of England always to give credit to
foreign Governments for the worst intentions. (Loud
cheers.) I must express my opinion that a policy—vigi-
lant I grant it should be, and vigilant I, on the part of
her Majesty's Government, pledge myself to the gallant
admiral it shall be—(cheers)—and firm, but at the same
time conciliatory, just, adapted to settle all those ques-
tions of controversy that may arise between the different
nations and Governments, is more likely to adjust hap-
pily those differences than a policy of suspicion, which is
always ready to show to foreign nations that you do not
give them credit for those feelings upon which civilisa-
tion depends. (Cheers.) Now, we have had within the
last few hours a very significant proof, I think, of
the justice of my observations. Within these few hours
we have received a despatch which shows that a state of
affairs in one part of the world which caused us, I hesi-
tate not to say, great disquietude, and which I even
admit did seem to endanger the peaceful relations of Eu-
ropean States, has been happily terminated. (Hear.) We
have within these few hours received a despatch from
Naples, informing us that his Majesty the King of Naples
has granted and is prepared immediately to pay adequate
and I may say ample compensation to the Eeglish regi•
neers—(loud and repeated clicers)—and, more thee
that, that the King of Naples has placed the
Sardinian ship Cagliari and the whole of its crew
at the disposal of the Queen of England. (Loul cheers.)
Mr. Lyons adds that on the next day the Neapolitan
officers were to call upon him to receive his instructions
as to the delivery of the Cagliari, and that he awaits the
instructions of my noble friend the Secretary of State fer
Foreign Affairs. In those instructions, which before the
house met Were despatched to Naples, Mr. Lyons has
been instructed to deliver the, Cagliari and its crew to
the command of its late captain, and the general super-
intendence of Mr. Barber, the caneul, who throughout
this affair has conducted himself with so much spirit and
ability. (Cheers.) The Cagliari, under the command of
the same Sardinian captain, manned with the came Sar-
dinian crew, and under the general authority of Mr.
Barber, will sail to Genoa, and there 141 r. Barber wid
deliver the Cagliari and its crew to the authorities of the
King of Sardinia. (Loud cheers.) Now, hut a very short
time ago these were circumstances that caused, and
justly, the greatest anxiety in the public mind—(hear) ;
and if we had pursued another course, which at the mo-
ment might have obtained considerable approbation, we
might have brought about results of a very different cha.
ranter, and have thrown Europe into confusion. Acting,
however, with firmness, but at the same time with con-
ciliation and in a spirt cf justice, we have obtained thin
most satisfactory conclusion of these troublesome affa:re
and a new guarantee for the maintenance of the peace
of Europe. (Cheers.) If there were those evil disposi-
tions which are attributed with so much facility to fo-
reign States, do not you think that they would have
seized this opportunity of throwing the greatest difficul.
ties in the way of the peaceful solution of this question ?
(Cheers.) But on the contrary, we have had, through-
out, the sympathies of this very Power to whom ther.e
evil dispo,itions are imputed. We have had the ,ympa-
thies of France, and have been able to bring to this most
ratisfactary termination these difficult, and at one time
distressing, circumstances. Well, animated by seeing the
result of a policy such as I have described, I cannot con-
cur in the views which the gallant admiral has attempted
to enforce upon the house. This I whi eay—that, what-
ever may be the state of our alliances, the state of the
dr fences of this country ought to be complete. (Cheers)
C nsiderin cur insular position, and the great wealth of
this country, we ought, totally independent of all dipl
matic circumstances—totally irrespective of what may
be the results of a iskilul and adroit policy —we cuAt'
abstractedly speaking, if I may use the expression,' to
lay down as a first condition that England should be
adequately and completely defended. (Cheers.) Bat what
is adequate for the complete defence cf the country must
be left to those who have the difficulty and responsibi-
lity of the direction of affairs. If we are wanting, if
events prove hat we are wanting, is thoughtful vigi-
lance or preparation upon this mow; important subject,
the consequence to us must be of the most awkward de-
scription. But I would ask the house to give us credit
for attempting, and I hope not unsuecesetully, to do our
duty in this important respect, and let the 11, use believe
that the state of cur &bane a with the great Powers of
Europe, although not free from ifficulty and anxiety,
for that they never can he, is a state very encouraging
to the cause of peace. (Hear, hear.) Were they, how-
ever, of a very different cheracter, the state of this coun•
try is such that we may confidently hope, under any cir-
cumstances, to be able to defend our shores and vindi-

cats our honour. (Loud cheers.)-
• Mr. BENTINCK thought that the right hon. gentle-
man had somewhat misapprehended the °Lent of the
. question of the hon, and gallant admiral. The right bon.
gentleman had te le the house that he was not aware of
any extensive preparations being made abroad. [Mr.
• Disraeli—" I said extraordinary, not extensive."] Very
well, extraordinary preparation?, and he also added that
the relations between this country and foreign Powers
• were of the most cordial description. Now, they had
been informed a short time ago by the right bon. gen-
tleman at the head of the Admiralty that, during a ver
y
considerable portion of the tenure of (Zee of the.
late Government, the coasts of the country were
• totally without defence, That statement, made a
• very short time back, had received no contra-
diction from the late First Lord of the Admiralty, and
therefore he was justified in assuming that such was the
• case when the present Government t iok office. He was
' tot going to raise the question as to what were exten-
sive or extraordinary preparations in neighbouring coun-
' tries, but this he would say, that these preparations had
' been carried on for some time until this country had be-
come weak in relation to other countries. What the
hen. and gallant admiral wished to know, and he con-
' cnrred with him in feeling anxiety for the information
' which he sought, was whether in owe of any unforeseen
•emergency we should be able to defend the coasts of this
country. He did not impugn the zeal or ability of the
right hon. gentleman or his colleague*, but at the same
time he thought that house and the country had a right
to know upon what they depended for the defence of the
country. He did not anticipate a French in ea ion— (hear)
—but it was a disgraceful position for a county which
' called itself the mistress of the seas to be actually in doubt
- whether or no she was able to defend her own shores,
' The gallant admiral had not anticipated an Invasion, for
be relied upon the good faith—and he quite concurred
1r in that opinion—of the Emperor cf the French, which
perhaps, joined to his moderation, had prevented a col-
. lision at a time when circumstances into which he should
• not enter bad created strong feelings of irritation in the
two countries. It might, however, happen that circum-
. stances might arise when that distinguished man would
tat have events within his own control; and it was a
meat
fah.
and
proper question, and one to which the
country.lead a right to expect an answer, to ask the Go-
vernment what were the actual defences of the country,
and whether
- stances to th,teenedvere in a position, under any circum-
-- Mr. ielNIKIA.;1:11 chorea ? (Hear.)
state
rise to enter into a discus-
. sion, but merely to that he for one bad been much
pleased with the statement
chequer, who had shown thaotfhthe Chancellor of the Ex-
-0 was repared for defence
against any invasion, and that, at the same time, he did
not wish to entailunnecessary
diture on the funds
of the country. As regarded thlea,vzu, they sevl)ere told
w that there .were abundance of
sbPip 4i
11
culty was in manning them, but in cage of invasion sea-
mene .
from the merchant service would be ready
those ships and fight foetheir hearths and homed. (Mar.)
IA his own opinion a French invasion was a mere idle
dream, and it would be most desirable, if it could be
dose, instead of England building more ship because
she was afraid of Frave, or France building more allies
from fear of England, to come to a mutual arrangement,
• as there was no other maritime power of which either
-them-of -them°deed be afraid, co lithit their naval' forces to an
amount agreed upon by both.
Mr. BRIGHT said—The hon. gentleman below me
who introduced this matter has put a question to the