The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-16 00:00:00

tvould not have been known except that the despatch had
Keen published in Germany. The noble lord the Foreign
Ev2retary had stated to Sir James Hudson that this coun-
try had interests in the Adriatic which must be watched,
but what those interests were nobody from John O'Groat's
to the Land's End, no one could tell. In another
despatch the nOble lord desired Sir James
rludson to keep his eye on Louis Kossuth,
and he, in a spirit that showed he was a proper English
representative, replied that he considered it no part of his
duty to carry out that instruction. He also condemned
the course pursued by the Government in their instruc-
tions relative to the Genoese KUlway, of which Kossuth
fraas a director, and praised Sir Janes Hudson in reference
to the matter. This policy was of a piece with the pro-
ceedings that had taken place in regard to the Hun-
garian notes, and was intended to crush the
liberty of Hungary, a country which contained 15,000,000
snhabitants, and 20,000 square miles more than England
wad Wales. This policy was intended to be a counterpoise
to France, but he deprecated such policy as being most
unjust and unwise, considering the feelings which the
Emperor of the French had shown towards this country.
11e had seen a letter from Turin recently, from cchich
St appeared that Austria proposed to get up An
apparent insurrection in Hungary, in order to place that
country under martial law, and he called on the house not
to sanction a policy that would lead to a continuance of

the present enslaved situation of Hungary.
Mr. C. BENTINCK asked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affaies whether information was received from Sir
J. Hudson, previous to the 31st day of August last, to the
effect that the expedition of General Garibaldi was secretly
assisted by the Sardinian Government ; and whether the
Foreign Office did, previous to the 11th day of September
last, receive official information that the Sardinian Govern-
runt contemplated the invasion or seizure of a portion of
the Papal 'States ; and whether any and what answer was
returned by the Austrian Government to the Despatch, No.
96, addressed to Lord A. Loftus, and referring to a de-
spatch froth Consul General Perry P He contended
that Government had not been kept properly informed re-
lative to the movements in Italy, and designated the inva-
sion of Naples as a pre-concerted plan on the part of the
King of Sardinia, whose agent, he contended, Garibaldi
was.

THE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTIONS IN SPAIN.

Sir R. PEEL asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether any correspondence had taken place be-
tween her kSjesty's dOvernment and that of Spain re-
spectine: the imprisonment in Spain of certain per-
sons for religious opinions. The honourable
baronet said that he did not appear before

the house in regard to this subject in the character of a
person suddenly struck with religious • zeal, which he dis-
claimed—(laughter)—but as an advocate of civil and
religious liberty, from the benefits it conferred. The only
offence of which these poor men imprisoned in Spain
bad been guilty of was having in their pos-
session and using copies of the Holy Scriptures
in common with other persons. But the most remarkable
instance was that which occurred in 1851 as regarded
Francis and Rosa Madai, who were seized and put into
prison exactly on the same ground as those for whom he
now appealed to Parliament. Her Majesty's Government
--not only tke present Government but also the Govern-
ment represented by Lord Malmesbury--directly and suc-
cessfully interfered in that case. Having mentioned these
political and these religious grounds of interference he was
quite sure that now, if he could make out a case of perse-
cution sad of intolerance which he believed to be unequalled
in any Christian country in the world since the abolition of
the Inquisition, he was quite sure that he would be supported
by the house in his desire to obtain the moral and the active
influence of the Government to relieve those parties from
their suffering. What was the cause of this persecution ?

This religious sect of dissenters from the Church of Rome
existed more particularly in Malaga, at Grenada, and at
Barcelona. The chiefs of this sect were a man named
.Alhama and a man named Matamoros. He went no further
back than last year. At the begihning of last year Alhama
was seized and put into prison solely because he was in
possession of a copy of the Holy Scriptures, and that he had
read them in communion with other people. He had been
tried, after being months in prison, and did the house know
what the punishment was for that act of his ? Why, in
accordance with the 25th article of the Spanish penal code
a man guilty of the crime of having a Bible, or reading it
in communion with other people, was punishable with 10
or 12 years it the galleys ; in fact he became a galley-
slave, associated with the worst of criminals. That was a
disgraea to any Christian country. In fact, the other day
Matamorns saw a gentleman in prison, who said, " I wish
your offence.; instead of being an offence against the Ro-
man Catholic religion, had been a political one; I wish it
had been robbery. You would have been long ago at
liberty." In coosequence of some papers found on Al-
hama, residing at Barcelona, Matamoros was taken pri-
soner, and was dragged to Barcelona, thence to Malaga,
and thence to Grenada. It was his fortunate lot to travel
with that man on the diligence from Malaga to Grenada.
He did not know who he was at the time, but he could not

bat admire Me tanuifto -C .ft.rwArtia Ravi

.
him at Grenada. The cell in which he was confined was
only a few feet wide—it was dark, and there was no furni-
ture in it, or anything to make him pass his time agree-
ably. (Laughter.) Be asked him whether he was at all
connected with any political movement, or with anything
directed against the Government of the country? The
answer of Matamoros was, " Nothing of the kind. It is
simply and solely for the profession of my faith that I am
in prison, and the same is the case with Alhama." He (the
hon. baronet) should like to read a letter which he had re-
ceived, though if the house did not seem disposed to grant

him that privilege he would not do so. (Hear.) He could
assure them, however, that the subject was a very serious
ow, though the right hon. member for Bucks seemed to

find in it nothing but amusement.
Mr. DISRAELI—I rise to order. The personal observa •
tions which the hon. bart. has made are net justified by any-
thing I have done, and have no foundation whatever.
(Cheer:.) I am not aware that I denoted any sentiment to
justify a course which during the whole time I have been
in Parliament I never knew adopted before. (Cheers.)
The SPE.A.K ER—No doubt the hon. baronet, without
any interposition on my part, will see that his observations
require some, explanation.
Sir R. PEEL—I must say, sir, that Ido not see that my
observations require any modification or explanation.
(Laughter, and loud cries of " Order I")
The SPEAKER—Then it will 15e necessary for me to
express a more decided opinion on the subject. (Hear.)
Sir R. PEEL—I will at once, sir, acknowledge my error

in the allusion which I made to the right hon. gentleman.
(Hear.) Of course a speaker has a very difficult task when
he is standing opposite a gentleman who is continually
laughing. (Oh, oh.) I beg to apologise to the right hon.
gentleman, and to withdraw anything I may have said that
is disagreeable to him. I assure him that I did not mean
anything offensive. (Cheers.) I hope that the noble lord
will take an early opportunity, not by private remonstrance,
but by public despatch, to declare that the persecution of
these poor people was a flagrant violation of the first prin-
ciples of religious liberty. (Cheers.)