The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-25 00:00:00

It might be said that it would bo better oven to bear those
evils ths.n run the risk of ; but such was not the feel-
ing of the British residents at Canton. It is a seurce of
humiliadon as it is a c:enstarit reproach, that we have not
gained the objects of the war. This is felt net only at
Canton but at Amoy, Shanghai, and the other ports,
where large numbers of Canton men aro; and in 1816 it
led to serious riots at Fowchow. My lords, this is
a very SE rious question for all foreign residents, who
are in a ,ta.te of con& nit appreheusion from the anoma-
lous, nominally allocable state in which they now
stand towards the Chinese ; they are without the walls,
unable to communicate with the Chinese authorities
in inattrs of daily occurrence, and are in a st to of con-
stant .I,Prolleusifm• 'dy noble friend rays that the late
operation should nothave been Indertaken without express
instructions from the home government. Let me remind
him of what took place in 1817 under precisely analogous
circumstances. At that time several outrages had been
committed on British subjects, and a number of seamen had
been decoyed into the suburbs of Canton and nearly mar-
(l.recl. Sir J. asvis p!aeerl the matter in thehands of Gen.
D'Aguilar. He at once took the Bogue Forts, blew up tho
batteries, and spiked 879 guns. When that
hail b en done
Sir J. Davis obtained an interview with the High Commis-
sioner Keying, and he then sent in a written list of de-
mands; atnonoit them was that of entrance into Canton.
The circumstances in that year were strictly analogous to
the present. In both cases there was an infraction of the
treaty, in both cases a demand for reparation. The only
difference was, that in this case there was much more mo-
deration displayed tbaa in 1845. Tne conduct of Sir J.
Davis an I Gen. d'Aguilar on that occasion was warmly
anpr ,ved of by Lord Palmerston. In his despatch he
ata tea:—

granted to foreigners. A foreigner under a certificate of na-
turalisation proceeded to the continent, to the kingdom of
which he was a subject,setting forth nectar the authority of
the 001 ti ticato that he was a British subject. " No," said
the Government., "you era not a British subject in virtue of
that instrument of naturalisation; England can give no
such right as against us. You are the subject of this coun-
try." The gentleman returned to England :.nd complained
to the Home-office that ho was disappointed as to the effect
of the certificate. I dare say your lordships have seen the
answer of Mr. Wad.iington in the name of the Secretary
of State for the Home Department. It said, "As against
us, you may avail yourself of the certificate of naturalisa-
tion, but as against foreigners, as against your own coun-
try, it confers on you no right whatever." I say, there-
fore, my lords, on general principles, without resorting to
any particular argument arisingfrom any documents which
have been laid on your lordships' table,—l say, on general
principles, this feeble a Chinese ship, owned by a Chinese,
nothing can at all affect the right of the Chinese Govern-
meat to go on board on any occasion to exercise dominion
over it, to take out one or more of the crew, or to do any
act which they might be disposed to do in consequence of
events brought to their knowledge. (Hear, hear.) If I
make myself understood with respect to this proposition
and were to pause here it would be unnecessary to proceed
further; but what is the next step? What is the instru-
ment under which it is contended there was a transfer of
the character of the vessel, a transfer of ownership which
converted this Chinese vessel into an English vessel ? It
is an ordinance of the Colonial Government. By that
ordinance a Chinese who has entered into the colony, who
holds land under the Crown, and is the owner of a Chime
ship or any other vessel, may apply for a register, and
upon giving certain security the registry gives him a right
to use an English flag. A register was granted to a man
admitted to be :a Chinese. There is no dispute about
the facts that the owner was a Chinese, and the ves-
sel a Chinese built vessel. Now, by a law of the
Colonial Legislature, a Chinese vessel cannot be con-
verted into an English ship. I will not pretend to say
rights may not be given by this colonial instrument, but
I say you cannot make an English vessel by that means
independently of the general principle I have stated
—(hear, hear, hear)--you cannot make it an English
ship ; you cannot give the right to hoist an English flag.
That is so clear, so indisputable, that I am quite sure no
lawyer will controvert it. An act of the Colonial Legisla-
ture can have no effect whatever against an act of the
Imperial Parliament. The act of Parliament to which my
noble friend has referred says in the most precise terms
that nothing but what is there sot down shall be deemed
a British ship. The act is not confined to England ; it is
not confined to these islands: it applies to all our posses-
sions, and it says no vessel can be deemed a British ship,
or have the character of a British ship, unless it is owned
by an Englishman, by a natural-born subject, or by a per-
son who has obtained letters of naturalisation—{The Earl
of Derby: "And has taken the oath of allegiance I—and
has taken the oath of allegiance. In the face of this act of
Parliament the ordinance of the Colonial Legislature is
tiles.date:y nothing, and altogether void as far as it relates
to the point in question. You cannot in a law of the
Colonial Legislature convert this vessel into a British ship.
It is said, "True, it may not be a British ship, but she
had a British flag, and some insult has been offered to the
British flag." Why ! • Under the act of Parliament no
vessel car. by law use the British flag but a British ship,
and any one who attempts to use a British flag, except on
hoard a British ship, is by the 133 d section subject to a
very grievous penalty. Therefore, both on general prin-
ciples, and on the particular point of this ordinance, the
justification in this case entirely fails. Something was
said about some certificate, some license which was granted.
A register was granted on the 27th of September, 1855, to
expire in a year. The vessel arrived on the 3d of October,
six days after the expiration of the license. Thu-, when
we seek the facts of the original ground of discussion
in the case, we find that the license for the vessel had
expired, and she was no longer a British vessel. Any
Chinese authority could go on board and seize crimi-
nals, as the vessel had ceased to be a British vessel,
even according to the argument on the other side. I
believe the law is to the effect that a renewal of the license
must be made seven days before the expiration of the old
license, but no such thing was done in this case. Some ex-
cuse had been suggested to the effect that the vessel was at
sea, but there really is no foundation for that suggestion,
for during the whole time the vessel was sailing up and
down the river, and never was at sea at all. Thus, suppos-
ing that the lorcka had ever bad a license and a British re-
gister it had ceased, and her legal protection as such had
also ceased. Sir J. Bowring, who is a distinguished huma-
nitarian as well as plenipotentiary—(a,laugh)—himself ad-
mits the register is void, and that the vessel was not en-
titled to hoist the English flag. Now, mark what he says—
, " The vessel had no protection, but the Chinese do not
knqw this ; for Goa's sake do not whisper it to them."
(Hear.) He persevered, too, for he said in effect, "We
knew the Chinese have not been guilty of any violation of
treaty, but we will not tell them AO ; we will insist upon a
reparation, and a return of the men they have seized in a
particular form." If the men were not returned in the
form, what was to be the remedy? Why, to seize a junk, a
was junk; if that was not sufficient, seize more, until we
compelled them to submit, although we knew theyhad the
right on their side, and we had no justice on ours—(hear)
and although the officerdirecting those measures was the
representative of the Sovereign of Great Britain, whose
honour he was bound to protect, but which he was compro-
mising by plunging into a war. Was there ever conduct
more abominable, more flagrant, in which, I will not say
more fraudulent, bat what is equal to fraud in our coun-
try, more false pretence has been put forward by a public
man in the service of the British Government? Then we
are told of an insult offered to our flag. Why, the Vessel
was not an English vessel ; she had no right to carry our
flag.' If a man hoists a flag without authority to do so it
would on a monstrous assertion to believe that his own
wrongful act protects bins. Sir J. Bowring, in the second
letter, admits it to be quite clear that the Arrow had no
r.ght to hoist the English flag. He abandons that part of his
c'lee but adds, " as the Chinese do not know it, we will call
it an insult, and insist upon reparation." It is not true
that, the Chinese insulted our flag. There is not the
slightest foundation for imputing such an intention to the
Chinese. The whole question is one of right.. The Chi-
nese governor, from the first, said, " It is a Chinese ship.
She is in no sense a British vessel; why do you grant re-
gisters to foreign vessels ? By so doing you will create dis-
cord and dissension between up." I cannot point out just
now the particular passages to which I refer; but I pledge
myself, laving read the papers most carefully, that the go-
vernor of Canton from the first raised the question, and
that there never was any intention to insult the English
flag. Now, let us g,-) a little further, and see what is urged
in juslificat on of these proceedings. The men taken from
the vessel were to be returner I, and returned in a particu-
lar manner. They were returned, but not in proper form,
and no apology was made. Just consider what was done.
A waOunk eat seized. That was the first step—was that
sufficient punishment for the transgression? No, said Sir
J Boivring, let us go further, and batter down a small
fort. Surely if the case was as it is represented to be on
the other side, Sir J. Bowring might have paused at that
stage, and have said—" I have punished you enough. I
have token your junks and battered your forts. I will do
no mere without instructions from ray Government." De
might have thought—" I will not involve my country in
war. What I have dome has been for the vindication of
my honour, but I will not take any further steps which
may lead to war without. the authority of my Govern-
ment." But, no; hedid not think so, and then where was
he to stop? He hart no inclination to stop ; be had n
wish to do so. Well, my lords, soon after other forts are
seized in the neighbourhood of Canton, then the Dutch
Folly 'ort ; then the French Folly, then the Bogue Forts,
then the fleet of junks was destroyed, the palace of the go-
vernoriwas bombarded, the wall of Canton was broken
down, an-d the town entered in hostile attitude. Is it p s-
sible fur any man to consider such proceedines, arising upon
such a cause, with any degree of calmn ss ? Is it extraor-
dinary that Sir J. Bowriug should think he had the power
of declaring war. I earl utujerstand a man in such a posi-
tion having necessarily a power of carrying on defensive ope-
rations, but to carry on offensive operations up n such a
ground, upon suet, a pretence, is one of the most extraordi-
nary proceedings to be fraud in the history of the world.
The letter of the noble earl (Grey) to which reference 11 .s been
made, refusing to al'ow troops to be sent from Ceylon to
China and in the strongest terms, g tve peremptory orders to
the Governor in 110 case to undertake or carry on offensive
operations without the direct sanction and authority of the
Government at home Those injunctions must have been
known to Sir J. Bowring, and the noble earl below me (Lord
Malmesbury), having had an opi.ortunity of reading some de-
spatches from Sir J. Bowring, mid becoming acquainted with
the tone and temper of those documents, gave him instruc-
tions in the strongest t rms not to undertake any hostile
measures without authority from the Government at home.
It is quite clear from the papers laid on the table yesterday
that from the first moment at which Sir J. Bowring was ap-
pointed to the station he now fills his ambition was to pre-
cure what his predecessors had completely failed to effect—
namely, an entry within the walls of Canton. (Hear, hear.)
It would also appear from some of the letters of the Governor
of Canton that the conviction was strongly impressed upon
his mind that that was the ultimate object which the British
Plenipotentiary had in view. If oven it had been part of the
original treaty that we should enter and carry on trade
within the walls of the Imperial city, and if the Chinese Go-
vernor had refused to perform that stipulation, still I contend
it would have been quite unworthy of us to endeavour to ac-
complish that object through the intervention of mere local
squabbles; The shedding of blood, under the circumstances,
by the local authorities appears to me to be a subversions of
every sound principle and wholly indefensible. It may be in
the recollection of sonic of your lordships that Sir J. Davis sti-
pulated with Keying, the then commissioner, that within two
byeeaars cutliaert
whencases Ge
, Sir
ei3
admissioneabawm aithitrtietmheptweadlltsesmeoauke
should
arrangements with the Governor to carry out that stipula-
tion the answer of the Governor was that such would be the
ungovernable rage of the population on • •
proposition
being made to them that it would be utterly tsuch a
carry it into etfect.considerederly impossible to
SiSir G. Bonham
really a well-founded objection, and that as e that was
the stipulation Wits not insisted on. Subsequently, .easm
w
G. Bonham being asked in 1846, by the noble lord on
Sir
h now at
the bead of the Government (as we understood) would
be the disadvantages to commerce if we were exewludaetdfro
within the walls of Canton, Sir George replied that ho couldm
not say what the Government ought to do in the matter, but
he could tell them what they ought not to do, and that was
that they ought not to engage in any hostile act to acconi-
ilish the admission. (Hear, hear.) Sir George added that
he did not think it would be an object of great importance to
our commerce to be admitted, but this he knew, that it
would be dangerous in the last degree to make the attempt,
snore especially if it were made by force of arms. (Hear.)
But our present plenipotentiary, disregarding all those re-
peated warnings, and bent only upon carrying his object of
gaining, admission within the walls of Canton into execution,
has, for no necessary purpose whatever, plunged the country
into wisr ; and what is the result Property to the large
amount of 1,5011,060 dollars, belonging to British subjects,
is new impounded in the city of Canton ; and in addition to
that our factories are burnt to the ground ; and all this is
owing to the mischievous policy of one of the most mischievous
of men—(,l 'augh)—

" Foreign-office, June 24, 1847.
" Sir—l received yesterday afternoon the duplicate of your
despatch of the 12th of April, purporting to give a more de-
tailed account of the operations against Canton, undertaken
in the beginung of that month, than was cowl-tined in your
previous despatches ,•f the sth and 6th of April, and I re-
ceived at the same time your separate despatch of the 10th of
April, enclosing a copy of Major-General d'Aguillar's report
to the Secretary of State for the War Department. But I have
net yet received your despatches of the sth and 6th of April.
Although, in consequence of the non-arrival of the previous
despatches, her Maj sty's Government have not the means of
forming a correct judgment of the grounds on which the
expedition was undertaken against Canton, or as to the
negotiations which preceded that expedition, yet enough
appears from the despatches which they have received from
you, and from the articles of agreement concluded with
Keying, to show that the expedition was undertaken to
obtain redress, which had been refused on the several matters
mentioned in that agreement and I have accordingly great
satisfaction in stating to you that her Majesty's Government,
as at present informed, are of opinion that you were fully
justified in having resolved to undertake the expedition, and
entirely approve the promptitude and judgment with which
the arrangements for it were made, the decision and enter-
prise with wh.eh it was conducted, and the ability and firm-
ness with which you seem to have compelled Keying to ac
cede to all your demands.—l sin, "PALMERSTON."
My lords, that was the first 'lee: atch sent by Lord ealoier-
kraa apt,r ,V .rig of th • pr,,ceediugs ; another was aflerwar•la
bent wi h w hie:l I will not, trouble your lordships, but I may
say it was to the same effect. Lord Palmerston wag then
the colleague of my not. le friend who sits at the table
(Earl Grey), and who, I believe, expressed no disapproval
of these operation, • oa the contrary, I believe his appro-
bation of them has been recorded. lily noble friend shakes
his head, but I have a despatch here which will show that
Ia n right in that statement. I was not aware of ;ts
existence until lately, and it is not, therefore, included iu
the papers which have been laid on the table. If my noble
friend has n,, objection I will read it, although it is only
"L, echo of what Lord Palmerston wrote to Sir John
Davis. My noble friend wrote to Gen. D'Aguilar as fol-
lows

" Colonial-office, Nov. 21, 1847.
"Sir —The Governor of Ceylon has communicated to me
an application which you have made to the Major-General
commanding her Majesty's troops in that island, for a re-
inforcement of half a company of artillery, with two guns
and a proportionate supply of ammunition, to be held in
readiness to he forwarded to Hong Kong, should circum-
stances render it necessary to undertake any further mili-
tary operations at Canton. I have desired the Governor of
Ceylon not to send to Hong Kona, the detachtnent for which
you have made application ; andl have further to signify to
you that her Majesty's Government peremptorily forbid
you to undertake any farther offensive operations against
the Chinese without their previous sanction. Her Majesty's
Government are satisfied that, although the late operations
in the Canton river were attended with immediate success,
the risk of a second attempt of the same kind would far over-
balance auy advantage to be derived from such a step. If
the conduct of the Chinese authorities should, unfortunately,
render another appeal to arms inevitable, it will be necessary
that it should be made after due preparation, and with the
• employment of such an amount of force as may afford just
grounds for expecting that the objects which may be pro-
posed by such a measure will be effectually accomplished
without unnecessary have, elte., GREY."
My lords, those are the words of my noble friend, and
although they do not directly and pointedly approve of
what had occurred, they certainly contain no disapproba-
tion. (Hear, hear.) That the matter did not proceed fur-
ther in 1816 was owing to the small force at the disposal of
Sir John Davis; he said he should not have felt confident
of success had he not been allowed to act immediately, and
to make an attack partaking of the character of a coup-de-
main; he did so act, and negotiations were afterwards
concluded with the Chinese authorities because he could
obtain no relief from Ceylon which he had written for.
And this brings me to the letter of my noble friend which
hal been laid upon the table at his own request., and upon
which lie says be took the opinion of the late Duke of Wel-
lington. My noble friend wished it to he understood that
no operations could be undertaken against China for tarry
insult to the British flag.or an infraction of a treaty with-
but u
out instructions to that effect from the home Government ;
upon looking at my noble friend's despatch, I find that
so far trom that being so, the instructions it contains
wore not general instructions at all, but merely prudent, and necessary orders, which were called for by the exigen-
ci-s of the moment. Because it was quite clear then
that no force could have been sent him from Ceylon of
sufficient strength to have enabled General D'Aguilar to
nn lertako any further operations against the Chinese with
a chance of success, my noble friend, therefore, did not
refer to operations against the Chinese generally, hut only
to those which had just been concluded; while there was
au a :ditional ieeson for the instructions being given at
the met:lent, in the then d-p;ordely defenceles state of
CL's on. (ffeer.) But, my ler Is, if the atithoriti must
wait fur the am. rob.ion of the home goveru went befere
en caging iu siorh offend vo operations as circuinstauces may
cell fo-, if that is to he considered as the force aid mean
ing of the order issued by my noble friend, I can only say
teat nothing would be more calculated to cast dismay
orneriest the British reeidents in China—not alone in Can-
ton, but throughout the whole of the Chinese eriSpire.
(Elear.) If it is once to he established that we give up the
right of the authorities on the spot to act with hostilities,
if necessary, when our rights are violated or iiiuries are
infliOto,l—if it is to be lad down as a rule that they must
first ask for approbation, which can only be obtained after
delay of thr:o or flour months, no British subject will be
safe ; and, for the sake of securing his life and property,
ho will he eompelled to renounce his nationality and seek
the protection of K. me foreign power. (Rear.) My lords,
if that were to be the rule, he would be subject to insult
and wrong at the hazels o' mandarins of the lowest class,
and we should Coon hear of outrages being committed,
an ler the authority of Chinese law, similar to that re-
cords I in the bine book, of a foreigner who was tortured
for three lays, soil afterwards hanged, his heart being torn
front his body while it eves suspended But, my lords,
onty consider the impolicy of such an order; under what
altered circumstances would force have to be used if it ware
delayed until the approbation had been obtained ? The
force which might have been sufficient to insure redress at
th'3 time would prove most likely to be ineriffieient when
celled upon to act four months air so atter the wrong w,,s
coolinitted, Toe Chinese would have an ooporritir yof
'l4 the it ,Lriny, of al4ineutinz their fleets, and bar-
ii a, i ti, fir from obt-iir:ing the redress
yen r.,ll;emi you mig.,t ; t r1tt.4,1, hecau,o it coal
net be eeforced. (Ilear.) Ido trust, then, that your
lord-hips will not air.., to any resolution which can have
such an effect as to fetter the discretion and tie tip the
heads of her Mejeety'e servants in China in such a manner
as will bring alis:eracr on our neme and flan, and be ruin-
elle to our comincree. (heer.)
Ler 1 1.41.-NlillUilo', P. —I have paid great attention to
the raper.; that have b :ea la'il upon your
and I em serry to say that I have come. to the painful con-
clusion that the proceedings out of which this unfertunate
dispute has arisen cannot he justifie I upon any pr,neiples
either of law or of reason. (Rear, hear.) After the full,
comprehensive, and conclusive arguments which have been
a idressed to your lordships by my noble friend the Earl of
Derby, and no part of which has been answered by the
noble earl opposite—(hear, hear)—l should not have risen
to address your lordships upon this part of tho case, were
it net that a report hes boon circulated that I entertained
'spoil this sehjeet Opinions different from those of my noble
friend. There is no foundation for such an observation.
I do not feel that I possess any authority personal to my-
self upon a question of this nature; and I shall, therefore,
etete shortly, and ra'her in the hem of a summary, those
arguments anal reasons which have lea me to the vote
which am r, bout to give, and will leave your lordships to
judee of their It is impre-ihle to be too precise
tipon a tilifiAtioli Of thi.l luttUrd. (Hear, hear.) What is
the charge which is on the present occasion preferred
against the Chinese Government ? It is that they have
infringed the 9th article of the supplemental treaty which
has been referred to. By that supplemental treaty they
bad undei taken, in the event of any Chinese having made
his encepe and concealed himself on board en English ship,
that application should be male to the English outheritie,,
and fleet if it were found that the charge was well founded
that the persnn so conet,aled sho
Icr old I'M delivered up. The
y eseenee of this charge is that the party has taken re- I
tuge on board an English ship. It cannot be pretended for
Ilmtl'ent thet where a• Chinese culprit has taken refuge
ioh_elred_aoC.hinese ship anal concealed himself there, the
07,:rer;:inerit has not a perfect right to apprehend
the treaty, Looking therefore to the language of
:g:o the very reason of the thing, it must
be een,6:futo• dr e:bus,ollrete,ulir to an English ship. So the gees-
itself into this—was the Ar-
nie-, within the nea,vie4
an Eeglish ship I? ant smse of this arrangement,
the very language of Vie eZert—rTnd assert it in ,
,overn. vent—that in no
respect whatever was the Arro'e
This is the very essenee etoi 1-Znaclt ''gli:4liship• (Cheers.) I
of the whole quell-
eke!. (flier, hear.) Now, ,nylur,.,,tl",
• lio Ole will stitHe'leaul°l; icnoenttoc layt '17;1;
a pr/ii .
tire—Th.it you may ;give any right, or Miy
01. ft) A foreign vo.,:sel aii„ 3
your,eive,, but !
nut ;„; ~,,i,,st That is the
t th'
o o ea.se
i :sod txo others o.f t)usame rlescription to
which the noble earl ita9 others
elt rt ',ray give rights as j
ageing yourselves. You nrly pass a raw.tor that viirmie.
tights to the subject of a fora:,
But yettbeyari;togfyi7ut','"n?.:,, as against tl47,astirbyaiirilywoviiseta:e
COIIII
he is a subject. ( Hear.) No man eau,
nosy she low of reason, diepute that pr.oreedtion. y„,, can.
not, ther,fore, ,chute yen have a forelgu ~:iwbriead, by a
f't. rhee inf., re, Engted. .1411 . to
beieg it .whin the teri:s thie (ch
I r.ie ehee ‘7,-, ore nf with
ern natir,o, we beet, a iof laces:' 1.. w rand loose: /lotion
of mairality in regard to them. In order the belterto,, ap-
preeiete the queetion; will chew.° the situ ti" to 2.1,111 C I
rie,. I will take the CaSO of an ...I%eric.an sulject ti (iti'g
in ed'ner of an American vu's-el. You
mete 4io, a riee, erlow that vietel to assume the English
give it 1.':4111".4 and privileges rigainet your 0,.n
CrAiL my, hut you cannot alter the character of that vessel
as against the United States. You cannot change its
character. You cannot prevent the Government of the
United States ex reisalg its erilinery dominion over it.
(Cheers.) It is irapoesible any men ea, er,ntelf for
so
I n,.
ahsurd, so violeni-, <a e,roposifien. (Hoer.
circumstances which occurred-lately in illustrativ 4y re
O. , fer to
By a
law recently passed certificates of naturalisation
may be

n, proud Ma
Drest in a" litßat lema brief authority,ll
Most ignorant of what he's most assured,
His glassy essence, like an angry ape,
Plays such fmtastie tricks before high hetwen,
A? make the an7els weep ; who, with our spleer
IA Quid all thems'elvc:4 lau;l4 mortal."

,lii.,l._t flown, my lords, entirely concurring in the sentiments so
~i,,Lmotion„ (Loud cheers.)
covTii?:liiiteei'lifosiulSlDC,;,loo.l:.:lfiA;ll
isin'ticiii,lii "hi friend (the Earl of Derby) and
by the supporters of thi.LOlt observed that it was contended
principles of interniagtiott:llaw
motion that the Arrow was not an
i':nglisli ship, and had 11 :
Englisha snhse tl,, privileges,atdilealqw: eysbsttiloitenat irtnao
theta laid down, were unfounded
which his noble and learned frieanntillunntill directed attention
had no l.waring on the Ijoint at issue. t was said the vessel
was not an English but a Chines.° vessel. she might as ,
alleged, have been built by a Chinese, asid ovine ' ‘l4. was
but lie was a resident at 'long Kong, and had
ac y --orkg,
qutred the
navigated by a
rights of a British subject there, and she was •
clines-0 crew, and counuandect by an English master, Under

the treaty Chinese offenders could not be taken by the Chi-
nese authorities out of British shij s, but an application must
be made to the British consul, who would cause them to be
apprehended and handed over. In the,same way, English
offenders escaping into China were nA permitted to be fol-
lowed and seized by the English authorities, but were appre-
hended by the Chinese authorities and handed over. There
was no doubt that the Chinese authorities boarded the vessel
without first applying to the consul, and the question was,
had they a right to do so ? He assumed that the British flag
was flying ; that was clear from all the evidence. Yeh, in his
first answer on the 10th of October, did not deny it, though
he endeavoured to throw doubts upon it afterwards. He
held, then, if the British Government authorised a vessel to
go to a foreign country, and to carry the British flag, that as
between Great Britain and that foreign country such ship
was a British ship. (Hear.) That was the law of nations. The
government might, perhaps, have improperly authorised the
use of the British flag, but that would not justify the foreign
government in violating that flag or interferinc with the ves-
sel, though it might give a right to demand redress as against
the government. If Yeh had folio .ved this course and repre-
sented that the lorcha had no right to carry the British flag,
and Sir J. Bo wring had refused to attend to that representation,
he would have laid himself open to censure. That, however,
was not the course the Chinese authorities took, but they
proceeded to decide for themselves as to the right of the vessel
to bear the flag under which she traded. He urged upon
their lordships not to involve themselvesin difficulties in re-
gard to international law, the depth and end of which he de-
fied them to foresee. If they admitted the notion that,
having entered into a treaty with a foreign country which
stipulated that, quoad that country, any vessel under our flag
should be treated as a portion of our territory, and then per-
mit that foreign country to enter that ship by force of arms,
consider what difficulties they would open up. Ho contended
that every step which the British authorities had taken in this
matter was fully justified by the law of nations.
Earl GREY wished to trouble their lordships with a few
words in reference to the despatch alluded to by his noble
friend (the Secretary of State), which he (Earl Grey) had
addressed to the Governor of Hong Kong in the year 1847.
His noble friend expressed surprise that he had, with the con-
currence of the Duke of Wellington, sent a despatch prohibit-
ing the employment of troops against the Chinese under any
circumstances, without the previous consent of the home au-
thorities. On this subject he would remind his noble friend
that what his despatch was intended and was understood to
mean had never been doubted. In 1849 Sir George Bonham,
writing to the noble hrd (Palmerston), recognised the order
as forbidding military operations being undertaken against
China without orders from the home Government; and in
1853 Mr. Medlicot, writing by order of the Duke of New-
castle to General Jervoise, for his information and guidance,
recognised the order to which he (Earl Grey) referred. But
his noble friend said he should regard with alarm implicit
obedience to such an order. He (Earl Grey) confessed he
had heard with alarm the observations of his noble friend
on the subject. Let them remember what was the purport of
the order. It was not to prevent defensive operations, but
merely prohibited offensive operations, and he contended still
that subordinate officers ought not to be permitted in any
case to undertake offensive operations. Nations had no right to
resort to hostilities until every.bther means were exhausted,
and ono of those means, which must never be neglected, was
a demand for redress by the Government of the country in-
jured to the Government of the country committing the in-
jury. That was a principle recognised as part of the law of
nations. See the danger of the principle for which his noble
friend contended. That which was good in China would be
good elsewhere. Were they prepared to authorise every con-
sul or vice.consul in South America or in any other part of
the world, where he might happen to be of opinion that there
was a case demanding reparation, at once and upon his own
authority to make war ? No principle could be more dan-
gerous; and he thought the statement of his noble friend in-
creased the necessity on the part of that house of at once
putting an effectual check upon the application of such a
principle. (Hear, hear.) An unjust war had been com-
menced in China. Her Majesty's Government were not re-
sponsible for the commencement of that war, for it was the
work of the plenipotentiary there, and that contrary to the
orders, so far as the house knew them; of the home Govern-
ment. But her Majesty's advisers had advised her formally
to approve of that war. I cannot but think that they have
given that advice hastily, and that further consideration will
induce them to alter their views. The papers relating to the
question have been laid upon the table ; and if their lordships
took no notice of them, if they failed to record a deliberate
vote of condemnation upon then; according to all the rules
and precedents of Parliament, they would implieclly be bound
as approving them. By adopting the resolution of the noble
lord (Derby) the house would 'remove from itself this respon.
sibility; while in rejecting it, it would take that responsi-
bility upon itself. And this practical result would follow
from such a vote—the recall of Sir J. Bowring. But this
question ought not to be considered upon mere party ground
—and ho for one strongly protested against such a course.
But considering this question as men, as Christians believing
the precepts of their religion, their lordships ought tosupport
the motion of the noble earl, in favour of which he for one
should give his vote. (Hear, hear.)
The Duke of ARGYLL regretted that the subject had been
discussed more in a technical than a philosophical spirit ; a
course into which the supporters of the resolution under con-
sideration had forced the house. He would remind their lord-
ships, that the ground of our intercourse with China rested
not upon the same grounds as an intercourse with European
nations, but upon grounds of trade only. And it was with re-
gard to a vessel, raising important questions as to this trade,
that the present discussion arose. It was impossible that our
trade with China could be carried on exclusively in British
vessels, and hence the necessity for the treaty and ordinance
to which reference had been so frequently made. The use of
the term British lorcha in the treaty was, it was said, not do-
fined ; but on referring to the treaty it appeared sufficiently
plain that a British loreha meant a lorcha havinc, British
papers. The ordinance proved that Chinese who had settled
in Hong Kong should be permitted to take out British regis-
ters. The object of this was the benefit of the Chinese set-
tlers,• and not to detract from the privileges of China. Now
it had been laid down that a vessel carrying the British flag
was entitled to be considered a British ship ; but to thiaathe
noble earl (Grey) said, supposing a vessel, being a pirate,
hoisted our flag, was she protected ? The answer to this was
perfectly simple. If a power believed that a pirate hoisted a
false flag, then the power had a right to board the vessel, at
the risk, of course, of the ship turning out a bona fide barque.
And this was the state of things with regard to the Arrow.
The Chinese authorities had a right to board her to satisfy
their suspicious, but when it turned out as it did, that she
was a British vessel, they ought to have made reparation.
[The Earl of Derby —They had uo papers.] It vas true that she
had no papers on board—(hear)—but they were with the con-
sul, and would have been forthcoming had the Chinese autho-
rities thought fit to make inquiries for them.
The Earl of CARNARTON moved the adjournment of the
debate. (Cries of " No, no," and " Divide."
After a short conversation, •
Earl GRANVILLE assented to the adjournment of the de.
bate till Thursday.
Their lordships rose at a few minutes before 12 .

from the jurisprudence of the United States, may be abo-
lished ?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that he thould
be exceedingly glad to promote any inquiry likely to
terminate in the result of abolishing the technical diR
tinctions which now existed between suits at law and
suits at equity—(hear, hear)—which he looked upon
as the foundation stone of any effectual reform of our
jurisprudence. The Government did not believe this'was
a subject that could be properly considered in a commit-
tee of this house. The question mentioned " a commit-
tee or otherw'se,” and he had to state that the Govern-
ment had the question of a public department of public
justice, which, if established, ws,uld be a fitting depart-
ment to refer this question for consideration. (Hear.)
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Mr. PALE asked the President of the Board of
Health when he would bring in a Health of Towns Bill;
and whether the bill would carry out the recommenda-
tions of the committee on the Board of Health ?
Mr. COWPER said that he bad already given notice
for leave to introduce a bill to amend the Public Health
Act on the sth of March. That bill would be
similar to the bill referred last session to a select com-
mittee. Yarbus suggestions had been suggested in it
after mature deliberation, and such as he-considered the
select committee would have adopted.
SARDINIAN MEDALS, Ste.
Mr. ESMONDE asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury when the issue of the Sardinian medals and the
Order of the Medjidi might be expected ?
Mr. F. PEEL said the lists were not quite ready. As
soon as they were the medals and orders would be dis-
tributed without loss of time.
THE IRISH MILITIA.
Mr. ESMONDE asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment to ed.' out for training the Irish militia, and
if so, at what period ? .
Mr. F. PEEL said that a portion of the Irish militia
would be assembled this year for training, but be was
unable then to state when they would assemble for that
purpose.

GENERAL BEATSON.
Colonel DUNNE asked the 'Meier Secretary for War
whether a court of inquiry, ordered to assemble to inves-
Likate charges affecting General Beatson and other
Officers of rank, was to be kept secret
Mr. F. PEEL said that this Court of Inquiry for in-
vestigating into the conduct of General Sh'rley relative
to his charges r;aiast General Beatson would be like all
courts of its class, a closed court. It was a court of preliminary investigation, similar to that of a grand
jury in civil cases. The parties interested, and their
witnesses, would be present.
INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM (EDINBURGH).
Sir JANIES FERGUSSON asked the Secretary to
the Treasury whether there would be any objection to
lay upon the table a copy of the report of the Govern-
ment officer sent lately to Edinburgh to report upon the
proposed site of the Industrial Museum I
Mr. COWPER—There was no report. An officer con-
.nected with science and arc had been sent down to
Edinburgh to make inquiries relative to the erection of a
building for an industrial museum on a site already pur-
' chased for that purpose. It was no part of his instruc-
tions to inquire into any matter relative to the present
or any other site. (Hear.)
THE JOINT-STOCK ACT.
Mr. WILKINSON asked the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer whether it was the intention of the Government
td introduce any measure in this session, either by
repealing the exemption clause in the Joint Stock Act
of last year, or otherwise, which should have the effect
of preventing a recurrenceof the state of litigation which
had taken place in the cases of the Tipperary and Royal
British Banks ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that the Government were prepared with a measure on
the subject of joint-stock banks, and it would be intro-
duced by the Vice-President of the Board of Trade as
soon as the prospect of public business in that house
would allow of the question being properly considered.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE—ASH
• WEDNESDAY.
Oa the motion of Sir G. GREY, the house, on its
rising, was adjourned till two o'clock to-morrow, to
allow of bon. members attending divine service according
to usual custom with the members of the Government.
EEPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
Sir JOSHUA WALUSLEY, in rising to move for a select
committee to consider and report upon• the most practical
means for lessenitg the existing inequalities in our represen-
tative system, and for extending to the unenfranchised that
share of political ?ewer to which they may be justly entitled,
said he was about to call the attention of the house to the'
case of a class of the population entitled to every considera-
tion. -He was free to admit that the question would have
been much bettez in the hands of the Government than in
those of a private individual. The more so that most if not
all of the members of the Government had on a former occa-
sion assented to a measure of Parliamentary reform. But
session after session was allowed to pass without any sign
the reintroduction of that measure. He would endeavour to
show the necessity and object of the present motion. He
would ask the house to take the matter into consideration,
and by means of a select committee to consider and report
on the most practicable means of lessening the inequalities of
the representative system, and to extend to unenfranchised
classes that fair share of political power to which they were
entitled. The question was %ore one of degree than of prin-
ciple. It was not one which could be defezred. The legis-
lation of that house was rapidly approaching a dead lock and
becoming impracticable. They must either progress like
science, art, manufactures, and everything else in the coun-
try, or retrograde. There were large masses of the popula-
tion as well entitled and as well qualified to exercise the
franchise as those who enjoyed it. Out of a population of
28,090,000 of people, of whom 5,500,000 were adult males,
and upwards of 4,000,000 inhabited houses, there were only
1,000,000 electors. Of those, large numbers were pre-
vented by bribery and intimidation from exercising their
right of voting in accordance with their honest con-
viction. He was not desirous of •yielding the ques-
tion by the measure of reform which ho proposed, but
of obtaining an instalment of that which he deemed right.
He believed a deep-seated conviction existed that the restric-
tive franchise and unequal distribution of members and the
existence of numerous nominee boroughs, and the want of
protection to the voters, had been the source of many social
and political evils. No one could deny that the aristocratic
element existed not only in the Cabinet but in that house to
a large extent ; 12 out of 15 members of the Cabinet were
either peers in their own rights or the connexions of peers;
I not less than-236 members of that house were either the sous
or nominees or connexions of peers. There were 77 boroughs
returning 124 members to Parliament, having an aggregate
population less than that of one single borough. It had been
stated, and never contradicted, that one-half of the members
of that house wore returned by 180,000 electors, repre-
senting 7,000,0001. of property; whilst the other half were
returned by eight hundred thousand electors, represent-
ing 77,000,0001. of property. The English counties, with
10,000,000 of population, returned 144 representatives, while
the boroughs with 8,000,000, exclusive of the large towns, re-
turned 323 representatives. But carry the question still fur-
ther, and compare the counties with each other. They would
then find one county, with 2,000,000 of population, assessed
at 8,000,000 e., returning 14 representatives ; while another
and contiguous county, with 163,000 population, assessed at
700,000/., returned 11 members. There was another griev-
ance; that of 29 large towns and districts, with populations
varying from 20,000 to 60,000 each, were totally unrepre-
sented. Out of 28,000,000, of inhabitants, we had only
1,000,000 of electors. The hon. gentleman then quoted from
the writings of Locke and Sir Wm. Jones, and from the
speeches of Burke and Fox in support of the principle of
household suffrage, and he sketched the measures which from
time to time had been submitted to Parliament since the time
of the Reform Bill. The most important ono was that in-
troduced by the noble lord the member for London, and the
people of this country were heeply indebted to the noble lord
for the consistent course he had always taken upon this sub-
ject. The franchise, however, which the noble lord had intro-
duced into his measure was much too limited. Any qualifica-
tion based upon assessment must be unsatisfactory. In Lei-
cester, which he represented, there were 14,000 houses, and
at present there were 2,500 house voters, Under the bill of
the noble lord 61. householders 'would have been admitted to
the franchise, which would have added 610 house voters to
the list, but as there were 1,500 freemen, and as the bill of
the noble lord abolished freemen, the constituency by that
bill would have been reduced by9oo. He appealed to the
justice, honesty, and good sense of the house to support him
in the proposal which he made. If the house would appoint
a committee it would bo looked upon as a great boon by'the
public, and would be received with great satisfaction.
Mr. HADFIELD seconded the motion. His hon. friend
deserved the thanks of the country for the persevering efforts
he had made in this cause,
Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND, as one of the oldest members
Of that notioe, " ma, WviuS wny ne
should oppose• the- motion. He believed that the motion,
instead of promoting the great question of reform and the
extension of the suffrage, would retard it. He had always
been a reformer, and in favour of the extension of the
franchise, but he could not support the motion, as it was not
sufficiently specific. It referred to no definite object.
Committees of this sort wore petitions for brains by those
who moved for such committees. This was to bo a commit-
tee de omnibus rebus; but had nothing specific in its object.
He had no fear for a large extension of the suffrage, for he
believed that the people of this country were better educated
and more enlightened than any other people in the world, and
therefore they might be safely entrusted with a largo conces-
sion of freedom
Mr. STAFFORD thought the motion ridiculous.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE thought the motion would rather im-
pede than assist the cause of reform,
Mr. WARREN considered the motion was nothing more
than a proposal for handing over the British constitution to
the consideration of a select committee.
Mr. W. J. FOX supported the motion.
made to the proposal of his hon. friend. It was often objected
Lord PALMER TON said that one objection often made
to those who proposed a committee, certainly could not be
Peaal
to those who proposed the appointment of a committee, and
when they got it, that they were unable to bring to the com-
mittee any concurrence of opinion or sympathy on the sub-
ject; but if he (Lord Palmerston) were to judge from the
success of his honourable friend, in bringing the house to an
almost unanimous opinion on the motion ho had made
—(laughter)—such an objection could not be brought against
min. Ho had succeeded on that occasion in ranging
in unanimity of opinion those who were most eager for a
general and comprehensive reform—those who were com-
monly called bit-by-bit reformers from their desire of proceed-
ing step by step—and those most opposed to reform in the
abstract. He sLbmitted to his friend that lie should be con-
teol, with that-achievement, and not endeavour to produce
a similar concurrent opinion itt the members of the commit-
tee to be appointed. Ile (Lord Palmerston) was content to
rest on arguments that might be urged and would be found to
be unanswerable against the motion of his hon. friend, viz.,
that it seems a subject of
its range, and involving to too much importance, too wide in
o many
be thrown loose on the chance decision of a committee. He
was one of those who wished to see the question embodied in
and material interests to
some definite proposal, and brought before Parliament, for
the result of which sal,
and the nation should be re-
s ponsible, ,rather than see it disposed of in the manner pro-
posed, Without entering into his particular objections to the
motion, that ofd ealing with questions of this kind on abstract
propositions, and without inquiring
whether his hon. friend's
princi-
ples of the British constitution, and whether or not they sat
there as he appeared to think, as delegates of a particular
proposil might or might not be founded on the right
district, than as representatives of the United
Kingdom.
(Cheers,)Afte: NOll2O further reftarka the noble 19rcl

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YEsTERDA.Y.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following private bills were read a second time
and ordered to be committed :—Aldershot Railway ;
Black water Bridge and Road ; Bridgwater Markets, and
Fairs ; British and Irish Grand Junction Railway ; Char-
ing-cro,,s Bridge ; Dartmouth and Torbay Railway ;
East Kent Railway (Strood to Saint Mary's Cray, &c.) ;
Great Northern and Wo,tern of Ireland Railway ; Ips-
wich Water; Islington Parish ; Newport, Abergavenny,
and Hereford Railway ; North Eastern Railway (Lan-
chester Valley Branch) ; Otley and Skipton Road ;
Cathatn Lands, &o. ; Stamford and Essendine Railway ;
and Thames and Medway Conservancy.
FREESTUN presented a petition from the
importers of tea at Weymouth and Melcombe Regis
against any alteration in the present duty on tea, but
praying that, should it take place, it may be axed at
la. 41. per lb. for the next three years.
CONSTITUTION HILL.
Mr. MACARTNEY asked the Chief Commissioner
of Works whether there would be any objection to re-
build the wad lately pulled down in Grosvenor-place, so
as to correspond with the portion standing next Consti
tution-hill, and place a railing thereon up to the door-
way into the park ?
Sir B. HALL said that he proposed to rebuild the.
wall in the sauce style and manner as it was before. The
only objection he had heard to it was that of a gentle.
man who lived opposite, and wished to have it rebuilt as
suggested in the question. He (Sir B. Han) had no ob-
jection to it if the gentleman would pay 3001., the dif-
ference in the cost of construction.

LAND TRANSPORT CORPS.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that on that day
fortnight he should call the attention of the house to the
cause of grievance contained in the petitions presented
to that house of the Land Transport Corps, and that it
be referred to a Select CJnitnittee.
VOTE BY BALLOT.
Mr. H. BERKELEY gave notice that, shortly after
Easter, be should call the attention of the First Lord of
the Treasury to the necessity of protecting electors at
the poll.

LAND TRANSPORT CORPS.
Sir T. FERGUSSON gave notice that he should,
at an early day, call the attention of the house to the
condition of the officers of the Land Transport Corps.

NDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2

eluded by suggesting to his hon. friend that it would be
better to withdraw the motion.
After some observations from Mr. L. KING Admiral
BERKEI/E7, and Mr. WARNER, ,
Sir J. WALMSLEY replied, in the course of which he re.
plied to the objections that had been urged against his reso-
lution, and said that he would divide the house if he walked
alone into the lobby. (Cheers )
The house then divided, when the numbers were—
For the motion
Against it
Majority against the motion
CARLISLE CANONRIES.
On the motion of Mr. FRGUSSON, leave was given to in•
troduce a bill to appropriate the income of the first vacant
canonry of the Cathedral of Carlisle to the augmentation of
certain ecclesiastical incumbencies within the said city.
RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.
Mr. BENTINCK obtained a select committee to inquire
into the causes of accidents on railways, and int) the possi-
bility of removing any such causes by further legislation.
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS (IRELAND).
Mr. DEASY called the attention of the house to the pre-
sent mode of conducting the examinations of candidates into
the civil service, and moved, " That a humble address be
presented to her Majesty, that she will be graciously plea3ed
to give directions to have such examinations conducted as in
England, by examiners whose character, acquirements, and
experience in examinations render them peculiarly fitted for
the duty."
Mr. NAPIER seconded the motion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that there
was really no difference between the mode of examination
adopted in Dublin and in the towns of England and Scot-
land. It was most important that there should be uniformity
in all the examinations, and that uniformity was fully obtained
by the existing means. There had been 237 persons who had
passed examinations in Dublin for those departments which
had central offices in London, while there had been but 47
candidates for civil service in departments exclusively con-
nected with Ireland Theis, was thus, it will be seen, a great
necessity for uniformity in the standard of all the examina-
tions. The Government could not, therefore, consent to the
motion of the hon, and learned member, but he was perfectly
willing, on the part of the Government, to promise that if it
should be found assistance was really required by Dr. Bell in
the discharge of his duties, the subject of granting such ad-
ditional assistance should receive careful consideration at the
hands of the Government. Fully concurring in the spirit of
the resolution of the hon. member, he trusted that he would
not press his motion,
After a few words from Mr. HAMILTON, the house di-
vided, when the numbers were—
For the motion 35
Against it
Majority against the motion
THE FRANKLIN EXPEDITION.
Mr. NAPIER then proceeded to call the attention of the
house to the communications with her Majesty's Government
respecting the Franklin expedition, and the urgent nature of
the claim for a further and complete search. The question
was one which deeply affected the interests of humanity and
of science, and involved the honour of Parliament and of the
British Government. The hon. and learned member called
attention to a memorial signed by forty eminent and listin-
guithed persons, and presented to
,the Government in the last
session, urging upon them the necessity of a further search.
Baron Humboldt had recently added the weight of his autho-
rity to the opinions expressed in that memorial. Ho could
not conceive how a Government which had already made
such noble sacrifices to search for the gallant men who form-
ed the expedition could now decline to take further steps,
since the interesting discoveries by Dr. Rae of some of the
relics and memorials of Captain Franklin's brave crew. He
would not insult the Government by supposing that any con-
siderations of expense would weigh for a moment with them
if they conceived it to be their duty to make any
further search for the long lost Captain Franklin. If the
Government did not themselves fit out an expedition, Lady
Franklin, with the noble courage of a woman, had an-
' nounced her intention of herself fitting out an expedition
from her ownprivate resources. What a stain wouli it be for
the Government if such an occurrence were to take place, and
that the noble exertions of a lady should succeed in accom-
plishing that which the Government had declined to do on
the petty ground of expense. It would certainly be deroga-
tory to the high character of the Government if it were left to
the private resources of a lady and the energies of an Ameri-
can officer, to set at rest the question of the position of the
brave men who composed the Arctic expedition under Cap-
tain Franklin. (Hear.) He hoped the Government would
not persevere in their refusal to send a final expedition. The
hon. gentleman concluded by moving for a copy of the corres-
pondence which had taken piece since last session on the sub-
jectvwiaeAswdasmnoyifrhahloispWhe
oA.onfL.
raCaOnisdrinTlgeactvhonneedlvdefrilinewontdhlegahisvhehnehndi,isdosnveuoptrpt
of the Franklin expedition.
oht
hri
ke
ftatothete the
there
Sir John Franklin and his companions. Let them send no
fresh martyrs on a fruitless and unprofitable search. (Hear,
hear.) Let them not bring on themselves the remonstrances
of the wives and children of the br.,ve men whose lives would
have to be risked in a fresh expedition, or renew to them-
selves the painful spectacle of British seamen perishing of cold
and hunger in those desolate regions where two many valuable
lives had been already sacrificed. (Hear, hear.)
Sir C. WOOD was glad to have been preceded by the gallant
officer who had just spoken, because he heartily concurred in
all that had fallen from him, and because he was gratified to
have a confirmation of the opinion he wan about to submit—
that they ought not to expose to any fresh risks valuable
lives in an expedition they felt to be hopeless. The Govern.
ment would not have been insensible to the appeals which
had been made both by Lady Franklin and by scientific bodies
for a renewed search if they had entertained the slightest hope
of saving lives; so long as that hope remained no risk, no ex-
pense would have deterred the Government from sending out
expeditions. He was happy at the same time to bear testimony
to the gallant and generous spirit which had animated their
transatlantic brethren in sending out expeditions for the same
purpose. Let the house consider what had already been done.
Since Sir John Franklin bad sailed—twelve years ago—six
expeditioni had been sent out. Though he was sure no one
had grudged the money while a hope of saving life remained,
he thought it right that the house should know that by the
country alone, independently of private individuals, not less
than 610,000/. had been spent in the expeditions sent out. It
was not the subject of expense which deterred the Government
from sending out a fresh expedition. They believed that there
was no hope of finding any survivorof that ill-fated expedition,
and that, therefore, they were not justified in exposing to
such risk as was inseparable from such undertakings, fresh
officers and men, although he had not the slightest doubt
that they could obtain more officers and men than would for-
nish twenty expeditions. He believed that the party of 30
or 40 white men who were seen in 1850 by the Esquimaux
near the Great Fish River. and who had obviously perished
during that year, were the last survivors of Sir J. Franklin's
party. He believed he could say that not a single Arctic
officer with whom he had conversed on the subject bad ever
ventured to state that it was his belief that any survivors
could be found. It had been stated that a future expedition
would run less risk than previous ones, because the whole
coast had been mapped and charted;; but what the hon. and
learned gentleman called a limited area of 5 degs. of latitude
and 4 degs, of longitude was precisely that part of the coast
which was neither mapped nor charted. It was assumed by
<those who were anxious for a further search that within that
area the ships had been abandoned, and that therefore an
expedition would succeed in obtaining the records of the
voyage. Now, if the vessels had perished, as was not
improbable, it was very likely that the whole crews had
perished with them ! and if they had been abandoned, it
was not very likely the party abandoning the ships would
not have brought away with them what, after the neces.
saries of life, were the most valuable things on board—the
journals, logs, and records of the voyage. He did not
think, therefore, that there was any chance of the objects of
the scientific advocates of the expedition being found on
board the ships. If,' on the other hand, those articles were
taken away by the crew in abandoning the ships, he thought
it was equally obvious that the last of the survivors would
perish with the bags and journals about them ; and where,
within an area of 1,200 miles, were they to search for some-
thing which would not be worth the trouble and danger of
the search. Ho thought the probability of discovering any-
thing, but such relics as pieces of wood or boats' oars, of
which abundance had been already found in various quarters
surrounding the unknown district, very remote indeed. The
chances were that the ships, if abandoned, had been visited
and rifled by the Esquimaux. He did not think, therefore,
that they should be justified in exposing the lives of 150 men
in discovering all that there remained any probability of dis-
covering.' There was yet a much stronger reason for his de-
clining to accept the responsibility of a fresh expedition.
Five vessels bad been already abandoned -in the different ex-
peditions, the crews of which had been rescued by other ves-
sels, The probability, therefore, was that if any more ships
were sent they would become fixed in the ice, and then fresh
expeditions would have to be organised to rescue their crews.
He had never felt that the risk of life which Artie voyages
involved was justified by ;the scientific results which were
attainable by such expeditions. He had regretted at
the time that Sir John . Franklin's expedition
had been sent out, and lie still entertained the same opinion,
tubrye de-
the
liberation he could not reconcile himself to the responsibility
He regretted that the expectations of so many people who
were interebusttehde
in
couldth questioneonly s
ashould i n
tehat af disappointedtevma
of a further search. (Hear, hear.)
After a short discussion the motion was withdrawn.
SAVINGS BANKS.
avowal;
The house having gone into committee,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose to move for
leave to briny in a bill to amend the laws relating to savings
hanire and fen rmntrirla fnr nafablishmetut of fttvinixa hairs
with the security of the Government. He did not think it
was necessary to trouble the house with any lengthened state-
ment at that stage of the measure. It was well known to all
that the law reating to savings banks was at present most
inconvenient and most unsatisfactory to the public. The
management was vested in trustees, who appointed a ma-
nager or other officer to conduct the business. The trustees
were not responsible under the law and the whole security
the public had was the bond given by the manager or officer
to the trustees. These were altogether insufficient. He might
give an instance in tho case of the Bromley Savings Bank,
' whore the actuary, or officer, was deficient to the amount of
1,0001., and yet it was found that he had only bden asked for
a bond of 501. The trustees were not. responsible,
and the Government were not responible under the present
law, By the b ill he proposed, without interfering with the
management of these banks, except for the purposes of in-
spection, to give the depositors Government security for the
whole of their deposits, in all cases where the savings banks
complied with certain specific conditions. Of course one
great object of these conditions was to secure the Govern-
ment against loss; another was to give the depositors secu-
rity for their deposits. It was the duty of the house, as the
guardian of the public purse, to see that the Government did
not contract any responsibility in the case of these savings
banks, without at the same time obtaining a proper control
over the funds and the management. On the other hand, the
provisions of the bill did not impose any conditions which
would tend to unduly fetter the management of these institu-
tions, or deprive thorn of theirlocal and voluntary character,
under local management. With these few remarks he begged
leave to introduce the bill.
Mr. GROGAN expressed his satisfaction at findingthe right
hon, gentleman bad taken up this question, on which deep
interest was felt in Ireland on account of the failures which
had occurred in Dublin and elsewhere,
After a short conversation, the resolution was agreed to,
and the house resumed.
Tho Carlisle Cauonries and the Scotch •Commissioners of
Supply Bills were brought up and read a first time.
The house adjourned at half-past ten o'clock.

90
-117

THE DAYS OF M LIFE.—An Autobiography: Dy
the author of " Margaret Nlaitland," Ste. 3 vols.—The
gifted authoress of "The Days of My Life" exhibits in
a marked manner the first requisites of an eminent
novelist—a fertile invention, picturesque power, poetic
feeling, and considerable constructive skill. We are
struck, too, with her breadth of manner. The concep-
tion of the story is both large and simple, and it has the
merit of perfect originality. The story is most elo:-
queutly written, and is extremely attractive and cheer-
ful. It gbws with the genius of romance—the romance
of social circumstances and affection. We cordially
congratulate the gifted authoress on the success she has
achieved,—N .Prat,

5, 1857.

From the London Gazette of Last Night

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, FEB. 22.
The Queen Las been pleased to appoint Richard, Lord
Cremorne, to be ono or the Lords in Waiting in Ordinary
to her Majesty, in the room of Charles Somers, Earl
Somers, resigned.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, FEB. 20.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoin
Charles Alison, Esq., now Oriental Secretary, to be Secre
tary to her Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople.

FOREIGN-OFFICE FEB. 21.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Francis
Stacker Dutton, as Consul for South Australia, to reside
at Adelaide, for his Majesty the King of the Netherlands.
The Queen has also bee❑ pleased to approve of Mr.
William Deane Seymour, as Consul at Queenstown for his
Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Oldenburg.
DOWNING-STREET, FEB. 23.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Charles John
Bayley, Esq., to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief iu
and over the Bahama Islands.
Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint Humpbry
Sandwith Esq., C. 8., to be Colonial Secretary for the
Island of Mauritius.

CRO WN-OFFICE, FEB. 23.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.
County of Kent—Western Division—Charles Wykeham
Martin, Esq., in the room of Sir Edmund Filmer, Bart.,
deceased.

WHITEHALL, FEB. 10.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed David Black, of
Brighton, in the county of Sussex, Gentleman, to be a
Commissioner to administer oaths in the High Court of
Chancery in England.

WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, FEB. 24.
Royal Regiment of Horse Guards.—Francis George
Augustus Fuller, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice
Bulkeley, promoted.
11th Light Dragoons.—Lieutenant Arthur Lyttleton
Annesley to be Captain, by purchase, vice Dallas Yorke,
who retires ; Cornet William Cuninghame to be Lieuten-
ant, by purchase, vice Annesley; William Edward Shaw,
Gent., to be Cornet, without purchase, vice Dimsdale,
deceased.
16th Light Dragoons—W. R. Corballis, Gent., to be
Cornet, by purchase, vice Duffield, appointed to the sth
Dragoon Guards.

MILITARY TRAIN.
To be Captains—Capt. T. Rowland, from half-pay Ist
Foot ; Capt. H. Hope A'Court Ingletield, from half-pay
14th Foot ; Lieut. T. Penton, from 12th Light Dragoons.
To be Ensign—Cornet N. Burslem, from the • Land
Transport Corps.
,Royal Artillery—Staff-Surgeon of the 2d Class Matthew
Combe, M.D., to be Surgeon.
lst Foot—Lieutenant Charles J. Tuffnell Oakes to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Kirk, who retires ; Captain
Thomas John Gregory, from half-pay Ist Foot, to be Cap-
tain, vice Oakes paced upon half-pay.
14th Foot—Edward John Briscoe, Gent., to be Ensign,
by purchase, vice Beamish, promoted ; Lieutenant George
Bridges has been permitted to retire from the service by
the sale of his commission ; Ensign Iver M`lver to be
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Mathews, promoted.
18th Foot—Ensign Chas. Norris Fry to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Shaw, whose promotion on the 9th Jan.
has been cancelled.
21st Foot—Lieut. Wm. Cairnes to be Instructor of Mus-
ketry; Chas. Robin Hammond, Gent., to be Ensign with-
out purchase, vice Cook, promoted.
For John Urquhart, Esq., late Paymaster British Swiss
Legion, to be Paymaster, vice Hawker, appointed to a De-
pot Battalion, which..appeared in the Gazette of the 30th
ult., read Capt. John Urquhart, late Staff Paymaster
British Swiss Legion, to be Payinfi.ster, &c.
24th Foot—John Moore Gurnell Tongue, Gent., to be
Ensign, without purchase, vice Birch, promoted.
30th Foot—Lieut. Henry L'Estrange Herring to be Ad-
jutant, vice G. H. Sanders, who resigns the Adjutancy
only.

43d Foot—Lieutenant Robert Coke Glover to be Captain,
without purchase, vice Bruere, deceased; Ensign Thomas
Elmes to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Glover ;
Ensign John Evelyn Kingston Morley, from the rifle Bri•
Bade, to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Eltnes, pro-
moted.

46th Foot—Captain Richard Lluellyn, from half-pay,
46th Foot, to be Captain, vice Womwbell, whose Brevet
Rank has been converted into Substantive Rank, under
the Royal Warrant, Oct. 6, 1854.
54th Foot--Dudley B. Coppinger, Gent., to be Ensign,
without purchase, vice F. A. Campbell, appointed to 60th
Foot.

56th Foot—Julius Lovell, Gent., to be Ensign, by pur-
chase, vice H. H. Taylor, promoted.

60th Foot—Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class George
Waterloo Pennington Sparrow, from half-pay, to be Sur-
geon, vice Eaton, placed upon half-pay.
66th Foot—Lieutenant Richard Thomas Hughes to be
Instructor of Musketry.
67th Foot—Serjeant-Major John Stanifortb, to be
Quartermaster, vice Crispin, who retires upon half-pay.
731 Foot—Serjeant-Major Jonathan Godly Scott to be
Quartermaster, vice Carson, who retires upon half-pay.
79th Foot—William Henry M`Causland, Gent., to he
Ensign, by purchase, vice Adcock, promoted.
90th Foot--Lieutenant Leonard H. Lloyd Irby to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Close, who retires ; Ensign
George Edward Perryn to be Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Irby; John Williamson, Gent., to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Perryn.
Ist West India Regiment—Ensign William Alexander
Dobie, from the 79th Foot, to be Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Coote, promoted.
2d West India Regiment—Charles Edward Russell,
Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice D'Arcy, de-
ceased.
Cape Mounted Rifles—WalterJ. Wyatt, Gent., to be
Ensign, without purchase, vice Rorke, promoted.
STAFF—Veterinary-Surgeon George Western has been
permitted to resign his commission.
PROVISIONAL BATTALION (Chatham). —To be Majors.—
Major A. Wombwell, from half-pay Unattached ; Major
H. D. Ellis, from half-pay Unattached.

UNATTACHED.
Captain and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel W. Sankey 47th
Foot, to have the Substantive Rank of Major, under the
Royal Warrant of Oct. 6, 1854.
Brevet-Major A. Wombwell, 46th Foot, to have his
Brevet Rank converted into Substantive Rank, undertho
Royal Warrant of Oct. 6, 1654.

HOSPITAL STAFF.
Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class Patrick Joseph Clarke,
from half-pay, to be Staff Surgeon of the Second Class;
Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class William Thomas Black,
from half-pay, to be Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class,
vice Reynolds, appointed to the Military Train.
To be Assistant-Surgeons—Assistant-Surgeon John
Wood, from the Military Train; Assistant-Surgeon Wil-
liam Henry Muschamp, from the Military Train ; Assis-
tant-Surgeon Samuel Pratt Woodfull, from the Military
Train.

BREVET
Brevet-Colonel Godfrey Charles. Mundy, upon half-pay
Unattached, to have the local rank of Major-General while
in the command of the troops in the Island of Jersey.
The undermentioned Quartermasters, retired on half-
pay, to have the honorary rank of. Captain, under the
Royal Warrant, 17th Dec. 1855:
Quartermaster George Crispin, half-pay, 67th Foot.
Quartermaster John Carson, half-yay 73d Fooit.
ADMIRALTY, FEB 20.
Corps of Royal Marines.—The following promotions
have taken place, under her Majesty's Order in Council of
the 13th September, 1854, in consequence of the death of
Lieut.-General Sir John Owen, K.C.8., on the Fixed
Establishment of General Officers of the Royal Marines,
viz. ; —Major-General S. B. Ellis, C. 8., to be Lieutenant.
General ; Colonel-0, nemandant F. Graham, C. 8., to be
Major-General, vice Ellis, promoted.
BREVET.
In consequence of the promotion of Major-General
Graham, the undermentioned officers, on the retired full-
pay list of the Royal Marines, to be Major-Generals, Major-
Geeeral Graham having stood below them on the effective
establishment of the corps when they retired ; viz. :—Bre-
vet-Colonel James Clark, and Brevet-Colonel John Tothill.
ADMIRALTY, FEB. 20.
Corps of Royal Marines.—Colonel Second Commandant
Thomas Hurdle, C. 8., to be Colonel-Commandant, vice
Graham, promoted ; Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Ander-
son to be Colonel Sezorid Commandant, vice Hurdle, pro-
meted ; Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel George Colt Langley,
Assistant Adjutant-General of the Corps, to be Lieutenant-
Colonel, under the provisions of Her Majesty's Order in
Council, 13th September, 1854; Captain George Walkup
Congdon to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Anderson, pro-
moted.
COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORDS-LIEIYTENNT.
County of Surrey—John Labouchere, Esq., to be De-
puty Lieutenant.
Castlemartin Yeomanry Cavalry—Decinsus Williams
Byers, Esq., to b 3 Lieutenant, vice F. L. S. M. Baron de
Rutzen Frentz, promoted.
King's Own Light Infantry Regiment of Militia—Capt.
Frederick John Parry to be Major, vice Walker, resigned.
Warwickshire Militia-Ist Regiment—Harry Hazlett
Rams tale, Esq., to be Ensign, vice Ensign Charles John
Sale, resigned. 2d Regiment—Ensign Stephen Troughear
Cragg to be Lieutenant, vice 0. W. Plevins resigned.
Beauclerk, late Captain in the lst Royals, to be Major, vice
Browne, resigned.
Worcestershire Regiment of Militia—Charles Edward
Hopton, Esq., late Captain in the 23d Fusiliers, to be
Captain' vice Winnington. •
Royal Aberdeenshire Regiment of Militia—George 120
•
risen, Esq., M.D., to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Balfour,
deceased.

BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED.
Robert Ashworth, cotton-spinner, Newchureh, Bonen
dale, Lancashire.

BANKRUPTS.

Edwin Shepherd and Walter Shepherd, lozenge mann
facturers, 12, Crane court, Fleet•street, City, to surrender,
March 6, at half-past twelve, and April 9, at one, at the
'Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-
street-buildings; Chidley, Basinghall-street.
James Griffiths, builder, Bristol, March 9 and April 7,
at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Acranian, official
assignee, Bristol, Prideaux, Bristol.
Thomas King, licensed victualler, Spalding, March' 10
and 31, at half-past ten, at the Shire-hall, Nottingham.
Harris, official assignee, Nottingham ; Brown, Lincoln.
Robert Graves, corn merchant, Gravesend, March 6, at
eleven, and April 17, at half-past eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Canuan, official assignee Aldermanbury ;
Crafter, Blackfriar's-road.
William Smith, licensed victualler, Mansfield, Notting-
hamshire, March 10 and 31, at half-past ten, at the Shire-
hall, Nottingham. Harris, official assignee, Nottingham ;
Bewley and Ashwell, Nottingham.
Joshua Downing Stanbury, draper, Richmond, March
6, at half-past one, and April 3, at two, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Mason and Sturt, Gresham-street.
Sleater Geoghegan, stationer, Palsgrave-place, Strand,
March 13, at twelve, and April 20, at eleven, at Courto
of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assigness, Guildhall-
chambers ; Paisley, Chea;
Robert Spendlovo, horse and cattlo dealer, Sheffield,
March 7, and April 4, at ten, at the Council-hall, Sheffield.
Brewin, official assignee, Sheffield ; Marsh, Rotherham.
Frederick F. Shaw, ironmonger, Blackfriars-road, March
13, at eleven, and April 20, at one, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Nicholson, official assignee, Basinghall-street ;
Linklater and Hackwood,
Sise-lano, London; Hodgson
and Allen, Birmingham.
Thomas Whit°, jun., ship-builder and engineer, Ports!
mouth, March 11, at two, and April 7, at one, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Stansfeld, official assignee; Lawrence,
Plows and Boyer, Old Jewry Chambers.
Samuel Smith, iron merchant, Derby, March 10 and 31,
at half-past ten, at the Shire-hall, Nottingham. Harris,
official assigueo, Nottingham ;J. and J. Simpson, Derby
Wadsworthprriok Morse, Mice cud p
and9rWadrsiworth,Nootitcze ngh.
ecie ,
Duzzatior.