The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-30 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY—Morn., 6 min. aft. 3—Even., 23 min. aft. 3
To-Moßsow—Morn., 38 min. aft. 3—Even., 53 min aft. 3

.1

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1858.

MINISTERIAL MEETING—(This Day).

The Earl of DERBY having summoned a meet-
ing .of his supporters, 189 Members of the
House of Commons responded to the invitation
of the Noble Earl, and met their Chief, at his
official residence, at 12 o'clock this day.
Lord DERBY addressed the meeting, in a speech
which was loudly cheered. Great unanimity and
enthusiasm prevailed.
Numerous as was the attendance, we have rea-
son to believe that many members were pre-
vented from being present at the meeting by
their engagements on Committees of the House.

The more fully the subject is investigated, the
more clearly is the course pursued by the present
Government in reference to the capture of the
Cagliari, and the unwarrantable detention and
cruel imprisonment of the English engineers,
WATT and PARK, proved to be wise and judici-
ous, vindicating at the same time the honour and
interests of Great Britain, and adopting that firm
but temperate course that will ensure complete
justice without being compelled to resort to the
painful alternative of war, the ultima ratio region.
The explanation afforded last night by Lord
MALMESBVRY exhibits this in the strongest point of
view; and even the Earl of CLARENDON admitted that
"her Majesty's Government had displayed great
discretion in the course which they pursued." It
was not the " chscretion" which permitted two I
British citizens to pine nine months in a Neapo-
litan dungeon, enduring sufferings which it is
difficult to conceive that any civilised nation could
inflict on unconvicted persons, although justly
charged with the most serious offences, until the
intellect of one was shaken, and the health of
another seriously if not permanently damaged.
It was not the "discretion" that tried to shirk
disagreeable questions, and shrink from telling I
wholesome but disagreeable truths to wrong-
doers. Far from it : not a moment was lost
in insisting on the liberation of our in-
jured countrymen, which was speedily con-
ceded so soon as it was ascertained that the
British Government were thoroughly in earnest,
and would tolerate neither evasion, procrastina-
tion, nor refusal. And their liberation was
promptly followed by an equally decided demand
for
"'ciliate compensation for all the miseries
they were so unwarrantably made to endure. No
answer haft as yet been received to this applicw-
tion ; but judging of the future by the past, thew
is no reason to doubt that Lord NIALMESBURY
will
act on the premises in a manner becoming a
British Minister, or that Papa and WATT wilt
obtain redress, so far as money can give redress
for the fearful ordeal through which they have
triumphantly passed.
The question respecting the Cagliari is of a
different character, but it is also one demanding
equal firmness and decision. There has been
considerable difference of opinion as to the
legality of the capture of the Cagliari. The law
officers of the late Government suggested sundry
points, which would justify the capture and
detention of the Cagliari by the Neapolitan