The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY E V ESTING,

perty vested for these purposes would be advantageous.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said he entirely
referred to the public servants.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY said he was extremely
gratified, and he believed the public would be gratified,
with the sentiments which bad just been uttered by his
noble friend. (Hear, hear.) They were much in accoil-
ance with a petition which he presented some time ago,
and which was largely signed by the religious bodies of
this country. What he wished was to see unbounded
religious liberty, and that the professors of all religions
should be on an equality. In the selections for the pub-
lic service a man should not be rejected or selected be-
cause he was a Hindoo, a Mahemedan, a Parsee, or
a Christian ; he should be chosen for his fitness
for the duties of the office. Nothing could
be more prejudicial to the interests of Christianity
than to promote it by active measures. He trusted,
however, that they would not be ashamed to avow
themeelves a Christian Government, and that they re-
garded Christianity as the best form of religion and the
basis of civilisation. He hoped there was nothing fana-
tical in that. With regard to another subject he trusted
now that they had broken the neck of.the rebellion that
the time was come for proclaiming an amnesty,- Nothing
was more remarkable in the government of the noble
earl opposite (E lenborough) than his unvarying respect
f)r and protection to the natives. He regretted to say
that a strong feeling of antipathy was growing up be-
tween the Europeans—especially the young officers—and
the natives. In a letter from Baleares which he held in
his hand, the yonne. officers were said to describe the
natives as " vile and detestable imps." Nothing would
be more likely to retard the civilisation of the gospel
than a continuance of such a state of things, as nothing
would be more likely to promote it than by the higher
officers of Government showing that thsir lives were in
harmony with the principles of the Christian religion.

excluded tax collect Orr thiy should exclude solicitors
and members of the le gal profession from being agents,
for he held that they v sere a much more dangerous class
in this respect than tax collectors. He said that in
his capacity of a ro,embea• of the legal profession himself.
Mr. VA.NSITT. ART sa,'d he should be happy to avail
himself of the amendments which had been suggested.
The house then divided ,on the amended clause, and
the numbers were--
For the clause ..-
Against it
Mal,ority
The claw() vras negatived.
Mr. D. NIC OLL hoped that after the narrow-escape
of defeat whir .:11 the Government had had they would de-
clare now th at this was simply a continuance bill. He
had stood t ,hree sharply contested elections, one of
which he lost by only one vote, and he knew
therefore the temptations to which poor voters
were expos ad. He moved the following clause :
" Every ea ndidate at any election for any county, city,
or borough, shall be required to make and sign the fol-
lowing statt story declaration, and present, or cause to
be presentec.l, a copy of such declaration to the Election
Auditor on ,or before the day appointed for the audit of
bills, charges, or claims. "I, (A. B.) a candidate at
the electioa o f ( ) to represent the (
in Parliament , do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare
that I have no t knowingly made, authorised, or sanc-
tioned, and that I will not knowingly make, authorise,
or sanction any payment, or make any gift of money,
or other valuab `e consideration, directly or indirectly,
by way of pri'aate gratuity to any solicitor, agent,
or canvasser acting for me on account of the said elec-
tion, otherwise th an is described by the bills, charges,
and claims rendered to the e'ecrion auditor, save as
excepted and allowed by the Corrupt Practices Preven-
tion Act, 1354."
Mr. WALPOLE objected to the clause. It might
be inserted in a permanent bill which could not be delayed
beyond next session. The present was nothing more
than a continuance bill.
Mr. W. WILLIAMS did not think the clause would
carry out the object it proposed to have in view.
Mr. P. O'BRIEN thought that all legislation in re-
ference to corrupt practices at Elections woo a dell-nix].
Mr. cium,'LiiiD opposed the clause.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE asked the Government to with-
draw the bill. The majority of the House was
against it. (gear, hear, and no, no.)
Mr. WALPOLE said if the majority of the House
were against the bill he would withdraw it and intro-
duce a continuance bill to-morrow. (near, hear, and

Hear.)
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH agreed with the
noble earl that in the present circumstances of India
nothing was more to be deprecated than the constantly
increasing animosity between natives and Europeans,
and that animosity, he believed, originated in a g; ea t
measure from the extreme severity of the punishments
is:II:its:1 ra the retires. He thoreht that no single man
ought to have the power of ordering death as a punish-
ment. (Hear.) And that the conduct of Sir J. Lawrence
in Delhi ought to be everywhere followed, that was to
says a commission should be appointed, and that the con-
currence of three of them should be requisite for pu-
nishment by death. Restrictions had been imposed on
the press of India for the purposes of the Government.
He thought that as restrictions had been imposed on the
press to prevent libels on the Government, restrictions
should also be imposed on it for the purpose of preventing
libels on the people of India. (Hear.) If those libels
on the people were continued, the young officers arriving
in India would have their minds poisoned by the
stories they read every day. The practice of Go►ern-
ment officers attending the "religious" ceremonies of
the natives had been discontinued for a long time. Willi
regard to the principle of religious toleration, he would
read an extract from the last letter on the subject issued
by the Court of Directors; they said, "The Govern-
ment will adhere to its ancient policy of perfect neutra-
lity in matters affecting religion. We most earnestly
caution all those in authority in India not to afford, by
their conduct, the least colourable suspicio❑ that the
present policy has undergone, orlivill undergo, any
change." In that view of the case he concurred.
Lord MELVILLE thought that as long as they em-
ployed a native army it would not be easy to abstain
from giving some countenance to the religious ceremo-
nies of the natives.
The Bishop of LONDON said that the result of the
Government takir.g the management of the lands
ap-
propriated to the temples into their own hands was that
they were in a better state than if they were in the hands
of the natives, who would be likely to squander the pro-
perty. The feelings of the people of this country re-
quired some charge to be made i❑ this matter, and he
held the speech of the noble earl as showing that the
Government were disposed to look this matter in the
face. They should show Christian forbearance to the
heathen, but they should show a disposition also to in-
culcate Christian justice, and civilisation, and truth.
The Bishop of OXFORD thought it was c'ear what
th© line of a Christian Government should be in this
matter. They should not exercise fens, or fraud, or
violence to inculcate Christian truth, but they should
show that they were not indifferent to that truth. He
heard with some misgiving the extract read by the noble
earl, especially with the force and weight which he laid
on certain expressions. If by the "neutrality" men-
tioned in the despatch was meant that there should be
no attempt directly or indirectly to interfere with the re-
ligious belief of their heathen subjects, he did not object
to the word, but if it meant that there should be stamped
on the whole English Government an aspect of entire
indifference as to the value of religion and the superio-
rity of one over the other he must dissent from it.
Earl GRANVILLE heard with the greatest pleasure
the declaration of the noble earl, which, he hoped, would
have considerable effect in that country. He believed
the view he put forward was the most advantageous for
the gradual progress of Christianity. (Hear.) With re-
gard 0 the policy of mercy he felt no distrust in her
Majesty's Government or in the feelings of his noble
friend the Governor-General.
The bill then passed.
The Herring Fizhery (Scotland) Bill was read a second
time.
The Copyhold Acts Amendment Bill and the Joint-
stock Banking Companies' Bill were reported with
amendments.
The Titles to Land (Scotland) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The Sale and Transfer of Land (Ireland) Bill was
read a third time and passed, with some amendments
introduced by Lord Oran worth.
Toe reports of amendments on the 'Medical Practi-
tioners and the Public Health Bills were received.
The house adjourned at a quarter to 12 o'clock.

no, no.)
After some remarks from Mr. ROEBUCK,
The House divided. The numbers were—
For the clause
Against it
Majority
Tue clause was therefore negatived.
Mr. GREER moved the addition of a clause for in,
creasing the number of polling places, and for altering
the polling districts in Ireland.
Lord NAAS opposed the clause. In the first place
it was out of place, it was out of order on the considera-
tion of this bill ; and, secondly, the law at present per-
mitted the extension of polling places i❑ Ireland.
Mr. WHI CE supported the clause to protract the
debate, and with a desire to prevent the bill being
carried. He informed her Majesty's Government
there were a certain number of members who
intended to oppose the bill on every point
other than as a continuance bill. The bill was wrongly
named. It should be called the Corrupt Practices
Protection Bill. (Laughter.)
Mr. P. O'BRIEN opposed the clause.
Mr. BRADY supported the clause.
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD opposed the clause.
Mr. COX opposed the bill. He looked upon it as a
bill to legalise bribery, and increase the expenses of
candidates at elections. He had no objection to the bill
as a continuance bill, but he had great objection to it as
a permanent bill.
After some further discussion,
The house divided. The numbers were—
For the clause
Against it
Maj ority
The clause was therefore negatived.
Mr. GRIFFITHS moved the following clause :
"The admission and payment, on behalf of. any candi
date at an election, of any claim or demand in respect
to such election, by the election auditor, in accordance
with the provisions of the 17th and 18th Viet., chap. 102,
shall be a sufficient protection to such candidate against
any action or suit at law in respect to the legality of any
such payment ; and it shall be the duty of the election
auditor to refuse to pay any claim or demand on behalf of
such candidate which is not in accordance with the pro-
visions of the above-mentioned act of the 17th and
18th Vic., c. 102."
The motion was negatived without a division.
Mr. STAPLETON moved to insert in clause 1, line
17, after "voter," " within such voter's county or
borough, and seven miles from the boundary thereof."
The house divided. The numbers were—
For the amendment 75
Against it 7B
Majority. —3
The amendment was consequently lost.
On the motion that the clause as amended stand part
of the bill,
Mr. ROEBUCK moved its omission from the bill.
Tho moment they rendered the expenses of conveying
voters to the poll legal, it became imperative, and aided
the rich man against the poor man. He regretted the
proposition for paying travelling ixpenses emanated
from his side of the house, for it would be found
to be productive of more bribery and corruption
than ever before existed.
Mr. BRADY supported the amendment
Mr. V. SMITH reminded the Home Secretary that
be some days since suggested thb bill should be a con-
tinuance bill, and ho thought if his suggestion had been
adopted, much time would have been saved, for it must
come to a continuance bill after all—(hear)—and that
was to be done by cutting out this clause. If they
were to legislate on this subject ❑ext year, he believed
it would be better to make this merely a continuance
bill. (Hear, hear.) This bill involved two principles—
one was that voters had no interest in going to the poll
themselves ; and the other, that no man but a rickman,
who could squander 3,0001. or 4,000/. in an election,
could stand for counties.
Mr. WALPOLE contended he was justified in bring-
ing in this bill, and persevering with it, and referred to
the majorities on divisions in support of that assertion.
He intended to bring in a permanent bill next session
to get rid of bribery and treating at elections. He should
persist with this bill. Theseexpenseshad always been paid
by candidates, and the returns showed it was a consider-
able item in contested elections for counties and boroughs.
Without conveyances were provided many voters would
not take the trouble to go to the poll. It was, there-
fore, better to legalise it than leave it in uncertainty as
at present.
General THOMPSON wished to know what security
the candidate had under this bill if a voter went to the
poll in his carriage, and voted for another candidate.
He contended the payment of the expenses of convey.
ance of voters to the poll was as clear and simple
bribery as any other that could be invented.
After some remarks from Mr. S. WARREN,
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE characterised this as a bill to
serve the purdoses of the Conservatives in the election
to take place in the spring of next year. Candidates
then would be able to bribe to any extent, and the man
with the longest purse would be the successful
candidate. The hon. member was proceeding to show
the effect of the bill in connection with the Conservative
or Freehold Land Society, when by the forms of the
house the debate was adjourned to the evening sitting.
The Deputy Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the
bar of the house, and summoned the members to the
House of Peeve to hear the royal assent given to several
bit's, (for which see Lords' report).
The other orders were then disposed of, and the house
suspended its sittings.
The House resumed at 6 o'clock.
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKRUPTCY,
MANCHESTER.

52
83
~ -31

26
112
~----86

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS. _ _

The Lords' amendments to the following bills were
considered and agreed to :—iliddlesborough Improve-
ment, Plymouth Great Western Docks, Tees Conser-
vancy, and Worcester and Hereford Railway.
The folio wing bills were read a third time and passed :
—Davidson's Estate, and Glasgow Colloge Estate.

CORRUPT PRACTICES PREVENTION ACT
CONTINUANCE BILL.

The adjourned debate on the clause proposed by Mr.
VANSITTART was renewed. The clause was "That it
shall not be lawful fur the collector of rates and taxes
of any borough, county, or city, or his partner, or
agent, to act as agent, clerk, or canvasser for, or to be
employed on behalf of, any candidate for such borough,
county, or city, and any such person who shall offend
shall for his said offence be liable to forfeit the sum of
501. to any person who shall sue for the same, together
with full costs of suit."
Mr. BASS spoke in opposition, and to the bill
generally.
Mr. P. O'BRIEN thought that nothing could be
more objectionable than the practice of a tax collector,
with his rate book in his hand, walking into a voter's
house to solicit his vote in aid of any particular candi-
date. He hoped the hon. member for Windsor (Hr.
Vansittart) would press his motion.
Mr. WALPOLE thought this clause would raise ques-
tion upon question as to persons qualified to act as
agents. He should be happy to consider the question
as applicable to general law, but he thought the principle
ought not to be affirmed in the present bid.
Sir F. SMITH thought the clause would be a trap for
the honest man, and that it would servo no other pur-
pose.
Mr. ROEBUCK said the Home Secretary seemed to
think that this was not a proper time f•a- the revision of
the electoral lam. He (Mr. Roebuck) admitted that,
and hoped the Home Secretary would apply that remark
te lie own bill.
Mr. WARREN opposed the clause.
Mr. GREED said that collectors of rates and taxes
had a great influence in reference to the registration of
voters ; and in Belfast that influnce had been exercised
in a moat extraordinary degree. In any district the
collectors of taxes might abstain from calling upon
voters for their taxes until after the time when they
should be paid to enable them to vote, and thus persons
really solvent, and wiling to pay their rates when asked
for them, found themselves disf.anchised when the
revi ieg barrister came round.
Mr. JOHN LOCKE said the clause singled out one
particular class of persons, but tax collectors were not
the only persons who had an undue influence over
electors. Let them take, for example, the steward
of a nobleman who had a large estate, and who could
knock off 10 cr 15 per cent. if it would in any way
suit his employer's purpose. The tax collector was a
public servant, and any candidate might avail himself
of his services. The tax collector could not remit
taxes, and it was not to his interest to remit them, but
the steward of an estate could remit any amount his
employer might choose to allow. The clause aimed
at one partioular class of individuals, while they knew
that there were hundreds of others who were equally open
to obj'ction. He objected to legislation of this piece-
meal kind being introduced into the bill, which he con-
sidered should be merely a continuance bill.
Mr. MiCANN objected to the tax gatherers being
agents. They had great influence over the register of
votes, and had not failed to ex-raise it very extensively
in Irelani. He knew many persons who had been dis-
franchised by the tricks and chicaneries of these men.
Mr. BAINES thought extraneous matter should not
be introduced, although he admitted he was favourable
to the principle of the clause. This was a well-defined
and understood species of influence upon which eventu-
ally they might legislate, but be thought this should
be a continuance bill. If the clause were passed at ail,
he thought it should be amende(l, so as to include ell
" eery b &"., instead s'of "
any borough, &e.
Mr. B. CARTER opposed t'le clause, on the ground
that the bill should be a mere continuance
Mr. BYNG considered that the clause contained a
very sound prin&pl?,
to the amendment of tahn i ho
errihtshhOduld ngevnottleemfoarnitt ,b
the
ulsubjecteui
b e for
to
uu LeedsaG(EMrss.
()DNA Baines).
Mr.
not like homcespatbie doses
of esiferm, and opposed the clause.
e
Mr. CRAUFURD thought it
abl that a
e
'bill of this kind should have been introduceduurason at thist late
period of the session, and that they were was
in
'discussing it. He should vote against the elausegbime
because
he desired that the bill should be merely a continuance'
bill. He wished they would take an example from Soot-
lane, where there was no such absurd regulation that a
man !should pay his taxes before he was qua ifisd to vote.
(Hear, hear, and laughter.) He objected to the clause
for another reason, that they ought not in such a case to
pick out one of society more than another. If they

Mr. TURNER presented a petition from certain par-
tics in Manchester, containing allegations, charging Mr.
Gennett, Commissioner cf the Bankruptcy Court in that
city, with irregularity in his proceedings as a judge, in
borrowing money from the practitioners of the court,
and praying that the charges might be investigated.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL complained that due
notice had not been given of the presentation of this pe•
-tition. He could not but think that the petition which
the hen. gentleman presented ought to have been com-
munica•ed to Mr. G-ennet`. He would now merely say
that he had received a communication from that gentle-
man, stating that he was most anxious to come forward
and meet the charges and imputations against him ; and
if the hon. gentleman should have an opportunity of
bringing the matter forward in the present session, Mr.
Gennett had authorised him to state, that ha was pre-
pared and most. anxious to come forward and meet the
charges.
CONTEMPLATED GREAT BLOW AGAINST
THE REBELS IN INDIA.
Mr. BWART was desirous to ask the President 61 the
Board of Control what reinforcements had been sent out
to India. He had also a question on the paper relating
to the government of India ; but he would confine him-
self on the present occasion to the first question.‘
Lord STANLEY, in reply, said that from the end of
January up to the 17th July, the number of troops sent
out to India amounted to 17,000. He might take that
opportunity
of stating to the house that the Goverarnent
saw the importance of striking a gra', final, and duel
sire bloc.: against the rebels in the approaching cold sea-
son. (Hear.)
D.
EBERio'OSIE(AwiOshYeSdTt,E)
aßskFtlhSeHriEghßtlhEoSi;
Sir G .
gentle-
man the President of the Board of Trade what progress
he had made in the inquiry he bad instituted te,pecting
the complaintii made by the parties interested in the deep
sea oyster fisheries of the operation of the act 18 and 19
whiph ccry irj u taeir
and which they considered were not contemplated
by the convention with the Government of France, of
August, 18'9.
Mr. HENLEY, in reply, said some progress had been
made in the inquiries respecting the deep sea oyster
fisheries, and the inquiries were still going on. He was
most anxious on the sabject, which was beset with some
difficu;ti,a, and he would not fail to continue to give his
attention to it.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
On the motion that the house, at its rising, do adjourn
t 3 Monday,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose,
and having adverted to a question which Mr. C. For-
tescue had on the paper in reference to the slave trade,
said he would venture before the hon. gentleman put
his question to ask him whether he had really considered
that the question which he had given notice of bring-
ing forward could be fairly brought forward at that
moment ; and seeing that the discussion of such ti qUeS!

3 ULY 24,

tion, even under ordinary circumstances, would require the objects of the military commission appointed to in-
a whole evening, and, irrespective of that consideration, quire into the organisation of our Indian army. The
looking at the language in which the hon, gentleman had i hon. and gallant member proceeded at some length to ex-
given notice of his question, namely, "to call the atten- plain his views on various points, but in so low a tone
tion of the house to the present position of the question' of voice as to render it utterly impossible to hear him.
of the right of searching ships suspected of being en- We understood him to advocate the sending out of large
gaged in slave trading, and to ask what course the Go- reinforcements to India by the overland route, so as to
amen:fest were prepared to take on the subject." N 077, insure their getting to India in the shortest possible
he thought it advisable that the hon. gentleman should period, to replace the heavy losses wo have endured dur-
net at that moment persevere in pressing the suject ing the hot season campaign. With respect to our position
upon the consideration of the house ; and the more par- in Oude, wo did not hold a foot of ground except that
ticularly, as there were negotiations at that moment occupied by our troops, and the hon. and gallant mem-
go ng on between her Majesty's Government and the Go- ber read the following letter, to show that the rebellion
vernment of the United States on the question. He was not merely a revolt of sepoys :—" You will under-
would, therefore, really put it to the hon. gentleman if stand that, although the great events of the war are at
it did rot appear to firn that questiens of such magnitude an end, the difficulties of it are by no means so. We are
and jet rest coul I hardly be fairly discussed at the present committed to a very long contest, of which I suspect we
moment. (Hear, hear.) He also saw that there was have as yet only seen the beginning. I trust I may be
another question to be introduced that evening by an in error. The insurgents are very easily dispersed ; but
boa. friend of his own, which would in like manner then, on the other hand, they gather together as easily.
take up a whole evening in discussion, namely, the lam very desirous to see the Government step forward
transport of troops to India. Now, those were questions and lend a hand to us by judicious proclamations of am-
of seer importance and magnitude, that each of them nesty. There has been too much blood already, and by
would require the most deliberate consideration, and denying mercy altogether, as we do now, to the vast
they were questions th It could not be expected to result mutinous masses, we perpetuate the civil war, and by
satisfactorily unless they were fairly discussed. He our own act retain a large army for the insurgent nobles
would put it, then, to the hon. gentleman whether he of the various provinces. Until an effort is made to de-
could at present fairly bring the question forward. tech these two interests from one another, the struggle,will
Mr. C. FORTESCUE said, is putting the question grow in intensity. As soon as we succeed in dissolving
03 the paper, he thought he had acted ferny. He thought the alliance it will die out, bat not till shen. This might
efore the session broke up it was debt to pat such a have been done some time ago ; now it would not be so
question to her Majesty's Government. The intentions of easy. At any rate, in considering the subject, we must
the Government seemed not to have been clearly indi- always look at the Sepoy mutiny as a great national in-
cated to the house on the subject, and thinking it hiehly surrection, and I think, for freedom."
desirable that the county should he informed what their STAMPED LETTER PAPER.
intentions were, he had put his cieestion on the paper. Mr. MAGUIRE raid it had been his intention to
He was prepared to make a very short statement to the occupy the attention of the house for some time to a
house. A portion cf the question seemed to him not to question he had put on the paper, but looking at the
have received all the attention from her Majesty's state of the public business he should confine himself
Government which it deserved ; and it appeared to him to asking the Secretary of the Treasury how the matter
desirable that their policy should be clearly and distinctly now stood with respect to the issue of stamped letter
explained on the subj ct. (Hear.) His intention was paper, and the convenience that would arise from a large
to state to the house the position in which the question and speedy issue. It was not his desire to see a compul-
was found by the Government, and to ask the Govern- sory use of such paper, but the inconvenience in legal
meat whether or no they intended to adhere to or depart and other procperiinrfq from tt•P rlepan.tion cf
fr I: y on L.,,a and their envelopes, and the difficulty of proving that the
slave trade. The st rte of the question was this :—lt had envelopes themselves had ever conveyed the letters they,
been stated by no less an authority than that of the Am- were supposed to do, rendered it a matter of public ins-
ba,ssador of the United States—Mr. Dallas—that the portance that stamped letter paper should be freely
policy respecting the right of search had been changed. issued. If so, third was no doubt it would be freely used
Now, that was a policy that had been long established, by the public.
and he therefore thought it fair to ask her Majesty's Mr. G. A. HAMILTON said the Commissioners of
Government if the rumour was true. (Hear.) The Inland Revenue gave every facility for the issue of

right boa. gentleman had told diem t' at these were nego-
tiations and cotnmun eatlons being carried on on the sub-
ject of the right of ,earthing ship, between her Majesty's
Govarnment and that of the United States. What be

stamped letter paper. They were quite ready to stamp
every sheet of paper sent in to them by any party for the
purpose.
ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ARMY.

wished now more particularly to ask the Government
wag, without his making any statement, whether, i❑ dc-
fau!t of any such convention with the United States, or

Colonel KNOX inquired when the report of the Royal
Commission to inquire into the state of the army would
be presented ?

any other power, they were prepared to adhere to, or

der art from, the long-eaablishe'd policy, or whether they
were prepared to adhere to the system of inspecting
vessels hoisting foreign flagie or to depart from that
system, and from the right of search altogether, and to
lay down that all such ships should be held sacred I
New, if that be so, the next thing which the Govern-
ment should do would be to withdraw the equadron from
the waters of Cuba, and also from the waters of the
coast of Africa. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. FITZGERALD was sure that the house
ectitiotuheismtno,enter into any long reply to the
wobservationsouldnottoe expect
of the hon. gentleman. (Hear, hear.) In
reference
he believed there was a general
feeling in the house and throughout the country, that
it was one to be approached with much caution, and
cer ainly the occurrences which had taken place
within a very short period on the other side of the
Atlantic—he meant in the Cuban waters—were not
such as to render it desirable now to enter into any
discussion. (Hear, hear.) He had stated on a former
occ teion that hia noble friend had received the assurance
of the United S ates Government that they would con-
sider any suggestions we might make to them not only
with care, but with the desire to do them every justice.
These propositions had not yet been made. They were
still under the consideration of her Majesty's Govern-
ment. It was impossible, therefore, fer him to give any
further information, and he thought the hon. gentleman
could hardly be serious in asking the Government to
state what their policy would be in the event of certain
communications which bad not yet been mede being
unfavourably received by the United S.ates Government.
He entertained every hope that this matter would be
brought to a satisfactory termination, and the language
of the United States Government, as well as that of the
mini ter, was such as was entirely to confirm the Govern-
ment in that impression.
ASSAULTS UPON WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Mr. DILLWYN called the attention of the Secretary
of State for the Home Depar talent to the prevalence-of
aggravated assaults upon women and children, and
urged upon his consideration the necessity of making
some alteration in the law relating to such offences. In
many instances where the husband was heavily fined Gr
imprisoned, the penalty fell with more intense severity on
the victim of the crime which it was sought to punish,
than on the perpretator. He was an advocate for cor-
poral punishment, but seeing that crime of this descrip-
tion was on the increase, he hoped that the right hon.
gentleman would, during the recess, turn his attention
to the subject, and see if the law could not be amended.
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD wished, before the right
hen. gentleman answered the question, to ask him
whether he had any objection to lay upon the table of
the house Dr. Corrigan's report, as a member of the
Irish Lunacy Commission, who differed from the report
adopted by his brother commissioners.
Mr. WALPOLE, in reply to the question of Mr. J.
D. Fitzgerald, said he really wished that when cam-
missiors were issues the commissioners would agree
upon their report. It aces not fair to the majority, who
concurred in a report that some individual commissioner
should afterwards send in a separate report, which his
colleagues perhaps had no opportunity of seeing. Ile
bad received the report of Dr. Carrigan, and the ques-
tion it involved was eo important that he would under-
take to lay it on the table of the house. The statement
made was quite correct. In answer to Mr. Dillwyn,
the hon. geetleemn said :—Toe aggravated as,,aults of
which he had made mention were lea numerous this
year than they were in 1854-5, but somewhat more
numerous than in 1856, but it was desirable to analyse
these offences before drawing asy general conclusion. A
great many of them were assaults not upon women, but
upon children ; and an immense number cf them were
assaults by women. (Laughter.) Another circumstance
to be borne in mind was, that in many districts, even in
the last year, for which he had returns, there was a
great diminution of those offences in some districts,
while in others there was an increase. So far as he had
been able to form an opinion from the information with
which he had been furnished, he had reason to think
that the present act, which he believed wee introduced
by the noble viscount opposite, had worked well ; and
if it required any addition, he would be prepared, after
inquiry, to state in what respect he thought it should be
amended. In the meantime, however, his attention
would be strict'y turned to the subject, but he should
not like, unless constrained to do so by th e strongest
reasons, to have recourse to corporal punishment. (Hear.)
TRANSPORT OF TROOPS TO INDIA.
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said, after the appeal which
bad been made to him by the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, he would not now go into the large question
with regard to the resolutions of the committee on
the transport of troops to India, but he trusted
he would have an opportunity of discussing it
next year. Ho wi-hed to state, however, that
he, and those who acted with him, were .of
opinion that it was the duty of the Government to avail
themselves of every means in their power to perfect the
overland route to India for the conveyance of our troops
to that country. He was quite certnn,ifrom the infor-
mation which be had obtained, that their conveyance
could be effected cheaper and with greater advantage to
this cenntry by the overland route than by the Cape.
Sir E. COLEBROOKE said he rejoi_od that the hon.
member intended to bring the subject 13.-.-fore the house
en a future occasion.
STATE OF INDIA.
Mr. V. SMITH wished to ask a question of the noble
lard the President of the India Board with regard to the
condition of our affairs in India. It line been the Cue-
tom f ir three or four years for the Government to make
a statement at the close of the session on the state of
Indian affairs, He would not ask the noble lord to give
the houes what was called the "Indian Budget,"because
last year he (Hr. Smith) off-red an excuse to the house
for not presenting anything like a budget on the ground
of the derangement of accounts. But, he hoped the
noble lord would, before they separated, make a state-
ment of the exact position in which they stood with re-
gard to India. Ile also wished to know whether the
Queen's troops there,
enit,iooonOtotrtohoepsewsthaibeihishharndenbeteonf
tsheentto India were in ad-
or whether they were merely to fi 1 up casualties.
He further desired to know with what object t're mili-
tary commission was to be sent to India. Perhaps the
noble lord would say whether, when the bill for the
Government of India was passel, the Government ia-
teAed to issue a proclamation, announcing that the
Government of the country wuull be carried ca in the
Queen's name, and whether another would be issued to
the eff!ct that the religion of the natives would be re-
spected. Ile put these questions with no wish to em•
bar rass the G )vernment or the public service. As La
as he was concerned, he had the grewest confidence in
the noble lord, who had perhaps ehown more judg-
ment and vigour than any person of his age at present
in Parliament. (Bear.)
Lord STANLEY thanked the right hon. gentleman
them
present
that fir the courteous manner in which he had put hie series
of questions, but at the same time, in the absence of
noa'jtc;"el , couldhateingto the otfifnualniyciarle
condition of affairs, any statement he could make lief ire
the &lois of the session would not represent the actual
nsptlayt
et o
em anynt of
Ia th except
condition of the Indian finances. and tilereferc hn rl rl net
ne, w „en, , se tee Lee,. a stets-
meet on that subject-. With regal .1 to the military opera-
tions going on in India, the right hoe, gentleman, in
common wide every other member of the house, had
ample opportunity of obtaining all the information that
could be desired on the 51,1i?,.1% As to the question of
Preeleitnin,g the Qiieen's aethority when the Govern-
tnent of India was tra•.sferred from the East India Com-
pany to the Crown, that was a matter which required
some time to consider ; but as the act would not come
into operation for thirty days after it received the Royal
assent there would be full time for considering it, He
repeated that ho did not intend, before the close cf the
session, to make any general statement on the affairs of
India, but if there were any special paint on which any
hon. member reqnired information, he would, so far as
was consistent with the requirements of the service, be
happy to answer the questions put to him.
Sir DE LACY EVANS thotight they should have
fell information with regard to the 17,000 troops recently
sent out to India, and a specific statement respecting

General PEEL replied that the report had been sent

to her Majesty for approval, and as soon as he received
her Majesty's orders it would be laid upon the table of
the house.
WELLINGTON MONUMEN r.
Mr. J. S. WORTLEY asked the Chancellor of the
Exchequer if he could give him a portion of Monday,
either at the morning sitting or in the evening, to call at.
tention to the suject rf the Wellington monument?
PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Lord PALMERSTON—Before the right hon. gentle-
man answers the question which has been put to him, I
should wish, in the first place, to say a few words as to
vi hat fell from my hon. and gallant friend the member for
Westminster, concerning the transport of troops to India.
In my opinion, if you send anything more than a small
number cf men, I think it is far better to send them by
sea than by the overland route across Egypt. It is not a
matter of sound policy that this country should make her
military communication with India through a territory
belonging to another. It is far better to keep such things
in your own hands—(hear, hem )—and to send troops when
you like and as you like. It has been stated by the noble
lord that a commission has been appointed to consider
the best means of reorganising the native army of India.
That course I do not presume to criticise. I do condemn
the reasons which led the present Government to ap-
point such a commission in England, but the late Go-
vernment were of opinion that such an inquiry could be
best conducted in India by military men who had recent
experience, and who could on the one hand value the
danger to be overcome, and on the other know the com-
ponent forces of which such an army should be corn.
posed. It may be that the disturbances in India may
have led to tbe dispersion of officers whose judgment
would be of importance on such an inquiry, men whom
'it would be difficult to assemble at present, or even at an
early 1 eriod ; but this, at all events, must be clear to the
house, that if the commission consisted of men in this
country, not even the new members of the Indian Coun-
ell could be Equally competent to give sound opinions as
to the best method of composing and re-organising the
Indian local and naive army, as those persons who had
been mixed up in recent transactions—(tear, hear)—who
knew the tendencies of the army, the difference of races,
and the influence of caste, arid in what manner with the
greatest safety to the public interest in future such an
army could be composed. The-noble lord has said that
be did not intend to make any general statement this
session on Indian [Affairs, but that he was willing to an-
swer any question on particular points. The noble 1 rd
forgot to notice two or three points to which my right
hon. friend directed his attention. My right hon. friend
asked him, regarding the Indian loan, whether the
amount which had been authorised by Parliament would
be sufficient fur the services of the Indian Government
until the beg'naing of next year. Without entering into
any general statt:ment of Indian affairp, perhaps the noble
lord will answer that question on Monday next. I must
say that the statement made by the boo. gentleman, the
Under Secretary fur Foreign Affair', with regard to the
quosticn put to him by the bon. member fir Louth,
was to me anything but satisfactory. I think my hon.
friend was perfectly justified, in the present state of
things, in not allowing the session to close without
asking for definite information on the point to which
he had directed the attention er the house. I wish
the house to remember the actual state of this
matter. Unfortunately there have been differences
between this Government and the Government
of the United States, with regard to transactions
in the waters of Cuba. Tlee Under-Secretary for
Foreign Affairs told us two months ago that cer-
tain cincessions had been made by the British Govern-
meet. The public had since then been informed by the
Minister for the United States, who stated with great
wide, and in a manner which was received by his as-
sembled countrymen with shouts of triumph, that this
Government had made great concessions to the Govern-
ment of the United States. That this Government bad
abandoned some rights or pretended rights for which
preceding Governments bad always contended. Of course
I am ready to admit that it is inexpedient to make in-
quiries pending negotiations, and, therefore, my honour-
able friend was right in saying that he did not ask what
the convention was that was proposed by the United
States. I think, from what fall from the Secretary of
State on a former occasion, we might justly have in-
ferred that some arrangement had been made, but now
it appears that no arrangements have yet been made.
But though he was quite right in abstaining from asking
for information, the house had a right to be informed as
to the facts ; for, from the statement of the Minister of
the United Sates, it would appear that there are some
incomplete transactions with regard to our maritime
rights ; and it is desirable to know whether these trans-
actions have reference to matters which former Go-
vernments have never assented. Now, what I wish the
right hon. gentleman to state is, whether we have given
up pretensions which we never made, and which former
Governments in this country never had asserted ? Is
that the nature of the transaction which has takee place ;
or is it that we have abandoned a right which former
Governments have claimed and insisted upon ? If so, I
ask him to state clearly what is the pretended right
given up which we have never insisted upon. On the
other hand, if a right which we have claimed and in-
sisted upon, has been abandoned, I wish to know what
that right is ? That question is a plain one. It has
no reference to anything at present under negotia-
tion, for the statement of the American Minister was,
that the matter was complete. As no doubt, accord-
ing to their system of government, tbe people of the
United States have by this time been made filly
aware of what the transaction is, I think this house
and the people of this country—intereete,d as they na-
turally are in the question—have a right to be put upon
an equal footing as to information upon the subject with
the people of the United Stater.. I therefore hope that
.we shall hear an expli n tion what the pretended right,
or right we had claimed and abandoned, is.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said. it
is not for me to inform the house what were the righ's
contended for by the late Government. (Laughter.)
All I can say is, that when the misunderstadding between
the two Governments occurred in consequence of the
disturbances in the Cuban waters, several controverted
points arose, upon which we consulted the law officers
of the Crown, and upon their opinion as to the legality
or the illegality of our conduct we acted, Tue result
was that at present matters are in abeyance, and the
claims are unsettled ; but during the interval that has
taken place the Government of the United States have
made a friendly overture to us, requesting us to prepare
or adopt a plan which we think wail accomplish the ob-
jects which both Governments have in view, namely, the
suppression or the discouragement of the slave trade,
without producing those misunderstandings which have
previously occurred, and which it is so desirable to
avoid. Her Majsaty's Government have that sugges-
tion under consideration, and hope te be able to propose
a plan which will be satisfactory to both countrie', and
at the same time obtain the object which the Govern-
meete of both countries so sincerely desire—the dis-
couragement of the slave bade. Teat plan will shortly'
be submitted to the Gevernment of the United Sta'es.
With reference to the question of the right hon. member
for l3ute (Ir. J. S. Wortley), I am afraid that so much
bu,ineis is set down f2r Monday that i, will 1)1
!-• -3 nut prul,a ,:y oa
or the f_ll)wing day, au opporunity will be given to in-
troduce the question rsferred to.
0 a the motion for surest:eat being ogein put,
Mr. G. A. HAMILTON said he baud discovered that
it would -be necc. nary to sit to-morrow (iaturliy), at
twelve o'clock, for the purpese, of is), warding ass era!
bills a stage.
The motion was therefore withJrassr.
CIVIL BILLS •te. (IRELAND) ACT AMEND-
. MENT BILL.
Ou the order o the day for the third reading of this
bill,
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD said the bill was so obnox-
ious in principle that, without detaining the house by
any observations, he should simply meet the question
with a direct negative, and divide the house upon it.
The house divided
For the third reading .. B3
54
Against it
Majority
The bill was then read a third time, and passed.