The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-07 00:00:00

the Minister to the house was not denied, and he hoped
the house would pause before they assented to the course
proposed by the noble lord. He was sure that the noble
lord had not made this suggestion in any spirit of hostility
to the bill ; indeed, the noble lord, like many other mem-
bers, had shown that in discussing a great question like
this they could sink any party feelings in a sense of public
duty. (Hear, hear.) But believing that this was a power
which ought to be exercised by the Minister, he hoped the
olauses would be retained.

Sir J. GRAHAM said be was actuated by no hostility to
the bill. On the contrary, he had on many occasions during
the discussion voted in favour of its provisions. During the
government of the late Sir R. Peel the question arose in the
Court of Directors whether the Governor-General should
be recalled. The matter was under debate by 21 directors
for two months, and the secrecy of their deliberations was
maintained by them—the Board of Control being the
body which had divulged the secret. Arguing from
the past, he believed that the A ffghan war was the fore-
runner of many of our disasters in India, and that if the
pulicy of that war had been debated in the Court of Direc-
tors, a wiser course would have prevailed, and the war
would not have been undertaken. So with respect to the
Persian war. He was, therefore, opposed to delegating
this large discretionary power of secrecy to the Minister,
and should vote for the excision of the clauses. The coun-
cil, he felt convinced, would be worthy of the confidence
of the Minister, who, in a case of emergency, could impose
secrecy on them. Cases requiring secrecy would, he be-
lieved, be very rare.
Sir G. C. LEWIS recommended the house to adhere to
the clause in the bill establishing the powers of the secret
eommittee, and expunge the clauses as now suggested by
the noble lord the member for London.

Mr. MANGLES said he had had very recent experience
in this matter, as a member of the secret committee.
Strange as it might seem, it was a fact that the whole con-
quest of Scinde was conducted in the secret committee,
and the affairs of the province for many years administered
in that department. (Hear, hear.) The right hon. baronet
the member for Carlisle had rather understated the case
with regard to the miner in which the Court of Directors
had kept the secret with regard to the recall of Lord Ellen-
borough. Pending that transaction, six members had re-
tired by rotation—so that thirty members in all had faith-
fully kept the secret. (Hear.)
After a few word s'from thelSoLiciTOß-GENERAL,
Lord PALMERSTON said the house was asked to enact
as to India that which ought not to be enacted with re-
gard to any other portion of her Majesty's dominions. The
Cabinet under this bill are responsible for the government
of India; and it would be contrary to the spirit of the
British constitution that they should necessarily call into
their confidence the members of the council. The proposal
was one which introduced a totally new principle into the
working of our administrative and constitutional system.
The house then divided on the 27th clause—
For the clause
Against .
Majority
—27
Mr. T. G. BARING moved to leave out " in the en-
gineers and in the Artillery," and Insert "in the Military
College at Addiscombe."
Lord STANLEY objected to the amendment.
After a few words from Col. SYKES,
The amendment was withdrawn, and the clause was
agreed to.
The bill, as amended, was then agreed to, and ordered
!•,o be read a third time on Thursday.
UNIVERSITIES (SCOTLAND) BILL.

Oa the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Lord ELCHO tendered his best thanks to the Lord-
Advocate for this excellent measure.
Mr. DUNLOP concurred in opinion with the noble lord.
Col. SYKES, amidst loud cries of " Divide," gave a
qualified assent to the bill. He objected to the junction o
the colleges of Aberdeen.

The bill was then read a third time and passed.
CIVIL BILLS, Sto. (IRELAND), AMENDMENT BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill;
Mr. Sergeant DEA.SY hoped the bill would not be pro•
ceeded with at that late hour.
The motion was then withdrawn, and the second read
ing fixed for Thursday.
The Titles to Land (Scotland) Bill passed through com•
mittee.

JURIES (IRELAND) Mo. 2) BILL.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL' for IRELAND with•
drew this bill.

Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD withdrew his bill, which was
of a similar character.

The Wills, &e., of British Subjects Abroad was read a
third time and passed.
The Copyright of Designs Bill was read a third time and
passed.

- The Stipendiary Magistrates, &c., Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The Police (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill passed
through committee.
The Lunatics (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill passed
through committee.

The County, &c., Property Conveyance Bill was read a
second time.
Tho other orders were disposed of, and the house ad
journed at five minutes past ore o'clock.