The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRMAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, 1866.

‘ffnrt etriltlat

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Thursday.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena;
walked and drove in the grounds this morning.
Earl Russell had an audience of the Queen.

IMPERIAT; PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.—LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack al
five o'clock.

The 0::.rly portion of the house was occupied in the con•
sideration of private bills, which were not of any genera'
interest.

The Royal Message in reference to provision being
made for Prince Alfred luving been read at the table,
Earl RUSSELL moved an address in reply declaring
the readiness of their lordships to take the matter into
consideration.

The motion was agreed to, as also was one in reply to
the Message asking provision to be made for the Princess
Helena on her approaching marriage.
Earl RUSSELL said that steps for giving effect to the
request contained in the Royal Message would be initiated
in the House of Commons.

The Sale of Land by Auction Bill passed through corn
mi:tee, together with the Art Bill.

The Duke of BUCCLEUCH put a question in reference
to the Orders in Council on the cattle plague, which raised
a short discussion.

Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.
LONDON (CITY) TRAFFIC REGULATION BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill having
been agreed to,

• Mr. AYRT ON moved that tho bill be referred to a com-
mittee of twelve members, five of whom shall be nominated
by the committee of selection.

Mr. LOCKE said he cordially supported the proposition
of the hon. member for the Tower Hamlets. The state of
things at the foot of London-bridge was disgraceful to the
metropolis; and he hoped that the bill would, when it
came from the committee, be so improved as to become a
benefit, and remedy the evils that existed.
Mr. Alderman LAWRENCE supported the bill.

Mr. CRAWFORD, who moved We second reading, had
no objection to the course proposed by the hon. member
for the Tower Hamlets.

The motion was agreed to.

THE INDIAN OFFICERS.

Lord STANLEY asked the Under-Secretary of State
for India whether he was prepared to state what steps
would be taken by Government in consequence of the re-
port of the second commission on the grievances of Indian
officers ?

Mr. STANSFELD said this difficult question had
been considered, but no conclusion had yet been arrived
at. The house would not grudge the delay, as it was to
endeavour to frame such a measure as would set the ques-
tion at rest.

MONUMENT TO LORD PALMERSTON.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then
rose to move that an humble address be presented
to her Majesty, and praying her Majesty would be gra-
ciously pleased to direct that a statue to the memory of
the late Viscount Palmerston be placed in the Collegiate
Church of St. Peter, at Westminster, and assuring her
Majesty that the house would make good the cost of the
same. The right hon. gentleman, in
_very animated lan-
guage, moved the address.
Mr. DISRAELI, in very eloquent terms, agreed to the
proposal.
The motion was put from the chair, and carried amidst
loud cheering from both sides of the house.
THE JAMAICA GOVERNMENT BILL.

On the order of the day being read for the second read-
ing of this bill,
Sir J. PAKINGTON said it was not his intenion to offer
any opposition to the measure of the Government, but it was
a subject of sincere regret to both sides of the house, and he
believed to her Majesty's Government, that any retrograde
step in colonial administration should be taken, and a tempo-
rary suspension of a constitutional Government which
Jamaica had enjoyed for upwards of 200 years. It was not, he
believed, necessary for him to enter at any length into the
state of that island, but he could not help concurring with
her Majesty's Government in the suspension of the Consti-
tution, for it was impossible for any man who made himself
acquainted with Jamaica, or who read the papers on the
subject laid on the table, not to come to the conclusion that
nothing else could be done. The state of things hadbecome
so bad, the events which occurred within the last two years,
and the policy adopted towardsthe West Indian Islands, in-
volved Jamaica in gradual distress and decay, so that the
system of representative government existing there was an
abuse of a representation of the people. The proposal now
made by the Government was similar to what took place
in 1839, with this difference, that then the island was in a
state of great excitement in consequence of the emancipa-
tion of the slaves. This measure was proposed to the house
when party spirit ran very high, and when the Govern-
ment of the day were of opinion that the disturbances
which took place should be put down by suspending the
constitution. If that were done the history of Jamaica
would in all probability turn out very differently fromwhat
it has done. At that time differences arose between the
Legislature of Jamaica and the mother country, but now
there was none; for the constitution of the island was
about to be suspended at the recommendation of the As-
sembly of Jamaica itself, who abdicated their functions.
Under these circumstances, he could have no doubt what-
ever that it was his duty to support her Majesty's Minis-
ters in the proposal they had made. There was one other
circumstance on which he would venture to address the
house. He was most anxious that this occasion should not
be taken advantage of by any hon. gentlemen on either
side of the house to introduce a discussion on recent events
in Jamaica. (Hear.) He was glad to hear from those cheers
that his opinion on this meter was shared by all ; and he
would therefore appeal to their good feeling to ask that
whatever prepossessions or impressions they have formed
to refrain from saying anything on the subject on this occa-
sion. They must remember that a solemn inquiry was being
conducted uudera commission, issued by the Queen, into the
conduct of the civil and military officers engaged in recent
events, as any opinions expressed would be premature, until
that inquiry terminated, and the report was in their hands.
Having made that appeal to the house, he hoped the Go-
vernment would not in any way prejudice the case of those
accused while the inquiry proceeded. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HADFIELD said that the Island of Jamaica con-
tained 500,000 inhabitants, who contributed £45,000 a year
for the maintenance of a Church Establishment in Jamaica.
Not one-eighth of the population were connected with the
Church of England, and yet they had to contribute to its
support. He remembered when a groat commotion was
raised in Manchester in consequence of a rate of apenny in
the pound being imposed, but what must it be in Jamaica,
where seven-eighths of the population were opposed to the
English Church.

Mr. CRUM-EWING believed the only good act the Legis-
lature o; Jamaica ever did was to abolish thems Ayes, and
rid a fertile island of their misgovernment. (Hear, hear.)
Provision should be made for the administration of cheap
and impartial justice by stipendiary magistrates, and the
establishment of a good system of education. If that were

done and good government prevailed he believed the negroes
would soon forget what had recently occurred, and he
hoped tha result would be that all classes would unite in
contributing to the general welfare of the island.
Col. EDWARDS— In common with many other members
of this house, I have received a very extraordinary epistle
from one of its members—a gentleman whose acquaintance
I never had the honour of, and, in fact, to whom I never
spoke in my life. Whether it is Parliamentary language or
not to say, that this letter is an unwarrantable liberty I do
not know, but I shall be glad to mitigate that phrase if, sir,
I hear from your lips that it is unparliamentary. I will
take the liberty of reading to the house the letter in ques-
tion, which is from the hon. member for Surrey :
" Sir,--At the Conservative dinner at Leeds you attacked
those who had denounced the doings in Jamaica in very

strong terms.
" I hope you will not shrink from making the same
charges in the House of Commons, face to face with us.
" Your speech will, I believe, be alluded to.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) "CHARLES BtiXTOX.

" 7, Grosvenor-terrace, S.W., Wednesday."
Now, in the first place, let me tell the hon. member that I
am not one of those who are in the habit of saying things
behind a man's back which they dare not say to his face—
(cheers) aye, even in the House of Commons. I am not
one of those who shrink from my duty. Now, sir, perhaps,
as I have been challenged to repeat what I said at Leeds,
the house will perhaps allow me to read a short extract from
that speech, which has galled the hon. member so exceed-
ingly. ("Hear, hear," from Mr. Buxton.) These were my
words :

" Colonel Edwards said he wished to make one or two
observations with regard to the Jamaica question. Was
there ever anything in this world so disreputable as the
conduct of certain parties ? Let them take the facts as
they stood. An insurrection planned years ago broke out
before all the plans were matured. He thanked God that it
did ; and it showed that there was a Providence which
overlooked us all, and no doubt the premature outbreak of
that insurrection was a means to an end. The intention of
half a million of negroes was to massacre the 15,000 white
men in the island, and to take possession of the soil to the
exclusion of its rightful proprietors. Fortunately before
these plans were matured the plot exploded, and they had
to thank Governor Eyre for the prompt and energetic man-
ner in which he crushed that rebellion. He hanged its ring-
leaders, and what then followed? By the return mail thanks
and congratulations were sent out by Lord Russell and the
Colonial Minister, who appreciated these services of Gover-
nor Eyre, and also the services of the army generally. Im-
mediately this was known there was a great howl in
Exeter-hall amongst the Baptists and philanthropists. Mr.
Bright denounced the Government of Jamaica and every-
body connected with its policy, and said it was wrong
altogether; but the fact was, that had it not been for
Governor Eyre's promptitude in the way in which he
dealt with those atrocious murderers, who had already
sacrificed the lives of numbers of our countrymen, the whole
white population of that island would have ceased to exist
months ago. Earl Russell, feeling the iron hand of Mr.
Bright, trembled in his shoes, and wrote out at once to
suspend Governor Eyre ; that a commission would issue
forthwith, thus punishing
him prematurely, and the troops,
instead of receiving honour from the Crown, had to abide
the result of the inquiry. Was there ever such a miser-
able piece of administration ? Was there ever such a gross
injustice done—not merely to Governor Eyre, but to the
gallant troops under his command ? If the troops of the
British isles—if the troops under the command of her Ma-
jot), were to receive no thanks from this weak, impotent,
degraded Government, where were they to look ? Where
would the country find troops to serve her, or governors
to protect her colonies, if they were thus treated ?"
I must thank the hon. member for the honour he has done
me in bringing my name before the house, for it gives me
an opportunity of allowing the world to know what my
opinions are respecting the atrocities committed in the
island and the conduct of the Government towards the
Governor. This certainly was an after-dinner speech—
perhaps, would not
ggooi hv
feeaserrmsb
yne
aodnn d laughter)—the pr
ec
innecdt
st ho ef
eo ret 0
wn of Leeds, but it
,
opportunity of showing the country, through
the Press, my views on the subject. If you, sir, on all oc-
casions of a public dinner are called upon to listen to what
has occurred there, your time, and the time of the House
of Commons will be occupied, and the interests of the coun-
try at large will be neglected altogether. (Hear, hear.) I
hope, therefore, you will discourage such conduct on the
part of hon. members generally. (Hear, hear.) Ido not
retract one single syllable I made in that speech at Leeds.
My impression, at the time I delivered the speech, was that
my views were correct from beginning to end. That im-
pression has become a conviction, and neither the argu-
ments of the hon. member for Surrey, or those of any other
hon. member in the house at the present moment, consi-
dering that we have not yet had the report of the Royal
Commission, will not change one iota of my views. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. CARD WELL—I am very glad to find that, notwith-
standing the little episode we have just been listening to, it
appears to be the opinion of the house that we should act
wrong in avoiding several discussions on the affairs of Ja-
maica, and in answering the appeal made to us by the right
hon. gentleman opposite, to proceed with the business of the
house without reference to the general question. I think

it must be evident that no other course could possibly be
consistent with fairness and justice. It has been most hand-

somely admitted by the right hon. gentleman oppOsito that
the course we felt compelled to take was, on the whole, the
only course open to us. I have great pleasure in stating that
the construction the right hon. gentleman put on the course

we have taken with rospect to the Governor was the true

and right construction. Nothing was further from our in-
tention than in the smallest degree to prejudge the case on
either side, and I am bound to say that I can conceive no
conduct more unworthy than ours would have been if, when

exposing the conduct of the Governor to an investigation by
a royal commission, wo had intended to send him before
that commission with any prejudgment expressed with re-
spect to any portion of his conduct. Perhaps I may be per-
mitted to read tho concluding paragraph of the despatch in

which I conveyed to Governor Eyre the views of the Go-
vernment. I may state that in the earlier portion of the
despatch we had intended to say that the inquiry, if it were
to be conducted fully and impartially, must be conducted
by independent persons who had themselves taken no part
in the proceedings. If you consider the safety of the co-
lony, it is manifest that that safety would be endangered
by an inquiry prejudicially conducted. if you consider the
effieiency of the inquiry, and the trustworthiness it would
have among the community, either here or in Jamaica, it
is manifest that it should be conducted by independent
persons, and I am bound to say, in justice to the Governor
himself, that it was impossible to hold him responsible
for the safety of the colony, and at the same time to sub-
ject him to a searching inquiry in regard to the mea-
sures he had adopted in the repression of the outbreak.
Whether, therefore, you considared the safety of the colony
or the efficiency of the inquiry, or whether you regard
the position of the Governor himself, it was our opinion
that it was our bounden duty to conduct that inquiry by
independent persons. I will now just read the passage from
the despatch, to show the disposition and feeling with
which we acted at the time. "In conclusion, I will only
repeat, on the part of her Majesty's Government, that while
we feel it to be our imperative duty to institute this in-
quiry, we desire my every means in our power to guard
against in any way prejudicing the case. Our earnest hope
is, that the result may satisfy on the points on which we
think it is necessary for us to be satisfied, and at the same
time to exhibit the conduct of those whose duty compelled
them to take part in those proceedings, and to whom the re-
pression of the outbreak is due, in a light which may show
it to have been consistent with their position and character,
and especially in your own case, with that high character
for courage and humanity by which you have ever been
distinguished." (Hear, hear.) I trust these words will be
considered conclusive proof that the credit given by the
right hon. gentleman opposite for spirit and intention was
really deserved by us. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the
measure, I have little more to add than to express my
obligation to the house for the candid spirit in which the
proposal has been received. It is no doubt a matter of great
regret to both sides of the house that a popular form of Go-
vernment, which has existed for 200 years, should come to a
conclusion, and that we should substitute for it one of the
character proposed. I agree with the right hon. baronet that
those who have traced the history of the colony from 1839
down to the present time may well doubt whether it would
nut have been for the benefit of the colony to have taken
that step earlier. There was no doubt that Jamaica, with
its fertile soil and splendid climate—a colony which at
the time of the abolition of slavery received for the eman-
cipation of its negroes by far the largest portion of the
money given for compensation—a colony which, in its
exports, population, and wealth at that period, represented
nearly one half of our whole West Indian possessions—has
been from that year a country of decadence. It has now
been decreed by the Legislature of Jamaica, and appears
to be the universal feeling of the country, that the time
has arrived to change the form of the government. That
Legislature has made to us a proposal which this house is
about to ratify. Therefore, with the concurrence both of
the Parliament of this country and the Legislature of Ja-
maica, we are about to institute this experiment. My hon.
friend the member for Sheffield (Mr. Hadfield) has asked
me what we are about to do with the ecclesiastical esta-
blishment of Jamaica. My answer will be this—We are
about to establish a new form of government in Jamaica,
and the first duty of those who govern the country will be
to consider the circumstances of the island, all its institu-
tions, to review them, and endeavour to bring the working
of them into a form most suited to promote the prosperity
of the island. lam sure my hon. friend will agree that
nothing would be more premature or ill-advised than for
me to make specific declarations on this subject. (Hear.)
The hon. member for Paisley said that the success of this
measure must depend upon its being viewed either as a
permanent or temporary measure. I entirely agree in that
statement. I have not the least reason to suppose that the
house will determine at the expiration of three years to re-
store the old form of government in Jamaica. But we
thought, in the present state of affairs, with an inquiry
pending, and the house in its present state of imperfect in-
formation, it is much more natural that we should avail
ourselves of the elasticity which the power of an Order in
Council affords with a view to temporary measures in the
first instance, and by the time the bill expires the house
may have the subject more fully before it. (Hear.) Ido
not anticipate that at the expiration of the bill it will be
the des re of the house to change the Legislature of Ja-
maica. I think it extremely probable they will continuo
the bill we have brought More them as a temporary mea-
sure. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CAVE expressed an opinion that the form of Go-
vernment provided by this bill was the best fitted to pro-
mote the prosperity of Jamaica.

Mr. LAMONT concurred in that view, and after a few
words from Mr. BUXTON, who declined to go into the
general question, the bill was read a second ;fine.
The house then went into committee on the Cattle Plague
Bill. The debate on the remaining clauses occupied a con-
siderable period. The amendments were of a purely formal
and technical character.

On the motion of Sir G. GREY a clause was added pro-
, viding for the disinfection of cattle-trucks ou railways.
Mr. HUNT, in a long speech, brought up a clause re-
quiring that foreign animals should be slaughtered at the
port where landed. He proposed, however, to allow them
to be moved to any place within the local district for the
purpose of slaughter; but he regarded the case of London
as so dangerous, owing to the infected state of all the lairs
near the Metropolitan Cattle Market, that it would be
necessary to have all the beasts slaughtered close to the
wharves at which they were landed, for which heinsisted
there were ample facilities.

A long discussion ensued on this, and the metropolitan
members offered a strong opposition to the proposal.
Mr. T. G. BARING pointed out that the clause was not
only impracticable in the short time the measure was to be
in force, but it was unnecessary after the Government bill
-which had become law.

Mr. AYRTON moved an amendment, allowing the
movement of imported beasts within the metropolitan dis-
trict, which was wiled by a majority of 15G to 102.
On the proposition of Mr. GRAVES, a relaxation was
made in the case of Liverpool, allowing cattle to be taken
to the market there.

The bill then passed through committee.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
house adjourned.

Bank of England Returns..--Last Evening.

An Account, pursuant to
cap. 32, for the week ending

ISSUE DE:
Notes issued
.....£27,971,690

the Act 7th and Bth Victoria,
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 1866.
PARTMENT.

£27,971,690
BANKING R.

Proprietors' Capi-
tal £14,553,000
Rest 3,595,087
Public Deposits
(including E-
xchequer, Sav-
ings' Bank;
Commissioners
of National
Debt, and Div
Accounts) 5,048,777
Other Deposits 12,591,493
Seven Day and
other bills

Feb. 22, 1866.

£36,196,288

Governmt. Debt £11,015,100
Other Securities 3,634,900
Gold Cuin and
Bullion
Silver Bullion

£27,971,G90

:PARTMENT.
Governmt. Secu-
rities(including
Dead Weight
Annuity) £9,915,483
Other Securities 18,020,460
Notes 7,409,100
Gold and Silver
Coin

£36,196,288
". MILLER, Chief Cashier.

Foreign Mail Packet List

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This L ►ay.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

A TRAINER OF BOY THIEVES.—IIeury Allen, Li, and
Thomas Earle, 12, were charged with frequenting 7 place
for the purpose of picking pockets.
Mr. Louis Lewis appeared for the prisoners.
Sergeant Coathupe, of the detective force, said lie es'as
in Oxford-street, and seeing the two prisoners tog, ether,
and knowing Allen as the companion of thieves, he Iv& tched
them. He saw Allen send Earle across the street, and
Earle then got by the side of a lady and put his left hand
into her dress pocket. Earle left the lady and joined Allen,
and they walked down the street till they came to the
London Crystal Palace, when each went into an entrance,
came, and joined again. Earle then walked up to a lady,
put his hand into her pocket, and took something out, and
afterwards he saw them dividing some money. Ho then
took the prisoners into custody.
Mr. Lewis said he had nothing to say on behalf of Allen,
but on the part of Earle he believed that be was the in-
strument of the otherprisoner, and had never been charged
before.

sergeant Coathupo said there was an officer in attend-
ance who would state that the prisoners had been in the
habit of spending their evenings together at the house of a
man near Golden-lane, Et. Luke's, the man having raffles
at his house, where a number of young thieves were ac-
customed to meet, and where they were encouraged.
William Miller, 489, said ho knew Allen or King as being
in the habit of taking Earle out, and as the trainer of boy
thieves. He had visited the house spoken of by the ser-
geant, and saw fifty-three thieves there, some of them
much younger than Earle, engaged in a raffie, and the
keeper of the house had been summoned for it. A. number
of the thieves he had spoken of were then in court watch-
ing the case.

Mr. Knox said that for Earle's own sake he must rescue
him, as it was obvious he was in the hands of a gang of
thieves and ruffians.

Sergeant Coathupe said the mother of Earle was in
court, and she stepped forward, but Miller, recognising her
as having been convicted for felony, Mr. Knox refused to
hear her.

The master of Allen said he was not aware of her son
doing such things as he was charged with.
Mr. Knox remarked that Allen was not only spoken of
as a thief, but as a trainer of young thieves. He should
send Allen to prison for 14 days, and three years on the
ship Cornwall, and Earle would be sent to Feltham for
three years.

MARKETS.--This Day.