The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-01 00:00:00

ITALIAN AFFAIRS.

The Marquis of NORMANBY rose to move an address
for copies of any despatches which have been exchanged
between her Majesty's Government and those of France,
Sardinia, or of any other European Power, on the question
of the recognition of the blockade of Gaeta ; also of copies
of any despatches from her Majesty's Minister at Turin con-
taining a report of the number of persons qualified to vote,
and of those who actually did vote, at the last elections
in Italy:—Similar returns of the partial resolutions in
September last; also copies of despatches trans-
mitting the proclamations and general orders of
Generals Cialdini, Di Sonnaz, and Pinelli as to
the struggle going on in the Abruzzi and other parts of
the Neapolitan dominions between the Neapolitan
Royalists and the Piedmontese army; also copies of any
despatches giving an explanation of the Royal decree
arbitrarily abolishing the administrative autonomy of
Tuscany, immediately preceding the meeting of the
National Parliament, which wag summoned nominally to
decide uzsgothe reconstruction of the whole country ; also,
copy of any despatches from Mr. Elliot giving an account
of the proceedings with reference to the plebiscite which
extinguished the separate existence of the Government
of the Two Sicilies ; also, copy of any de-
spatches explaining the extraordinary circumstances
that some of the constitutional Ministers of the King of
Naples remained without any intermission in the same
confidential situation under General Garibaldi ; and also
copies of any reports made to the Lords of the Admiralty
from the admiral commanding her Majesty's fleet in the
Mediterranean as to the part taken by that fleet from the
landing of Garibaldi and during the invasion of the coun-
try by King Victor Emmanuel. The noble lord said these
papers bore on very important points on which the papers
already given to the house furnished no information. A
remarkable circumstance connected with the papers already
published was—it appeared that Sir J. Hudson took a small
share in tne correspondence with the Government relative
to Italian affairs, It seems to be almost certain that the
distinguished diplomatist must have had some most im-
portant conversation with Count Cavour, and the result
must have been communicated to the Home Govern-
ment. The noble lord referred to the affairs of Savoy
and Nice, and observed that, when he asked a question
relative to a certain despatch on a former occasien, he had
been informed that the reason it had not been produced
earlier than it was arose from the circumstance that it had
not arrived from Paris until three days after it was
written; but on referring to the Blue Book he found
what appeared to him to. be somewhat strange, that in no
single instance was there a despatch from Lord Cowley in
Paris, but what had been received the day after it had
been written. After alluding at some length to the
idea that the Government had been disingenuous
throughout the whole of their Italian negotia-
tions, he spoke of the different schemes for Ita-
lian government that had been tried at different
times. These were all crowned by the last new plan for a
uniform Italy, the Italy of Liborio Romano, the Italy of
Count Cavour, and, he was sorry to say, the Italy of Lord
John Russell. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
LLEFT SPEAKING.]

11 HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(THIS EVENING).
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Bristol Channel Pilotage Bill was read a second
time, and some private bills were read a first time.
WESTMINSTER IMPROVEMENT BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Sir W. GALLW rIY said that he did, not rise
to offer any obstruction to the progress of public
business, but he felt bound to oppose the second
reading of this bill, not from any special interest he
felt in the subject, but on public grounds solely. He drew
attention to the course pursued by the Dean and Chapter of
Westminster Abbey, who made a condition with the com-
mission that before commencing operations they should
purchase certain grounds in the vicinity of the Abbey, and
then resell it to them. The result was that the latter
purchased the property in question and erected buildings
on the site which obstruued a communication, which it
was one of the main objects, for which the commission was
appointed to carry out. He had asked for a select commit-
tee on this subject, but he was met by a statement
to the effect that' the commission was nothing
more than a mere building company, and therefore
that Government was not justified in interfering.
But he contended that it was not a private company.
It had been originally established as a Royal Commission,
and a noble duke who was then in the Government inan-
pirated it. £50,000 was advanced by Government in the
first instance and £30,000 subsequently, of which
advances they had not received one sixpence in return.
It was required that there should have been a
strict and detailed account furnished for the half
year to show how the money had been expended,
and that the half yearly balances should be clearly stated.
He understood that the unfortunate bondholders attributed
their utter ruin entirely to the neglect of the Commis-
sioners of 'Woods and Forests in regard to this hybrid com-
mission, and contended that Government should have re-
quired the sheets of the returns half yearly. The hon.
baronet concluded by moving as an amendment that the
bill should be read a second time that day six months.
Sir J. SHELLEY said that the hon. baronet had given
no reason whatever for opposition to the bill, but that his
arguments had an effect directly the contrary. He under-
stood this bill to be a sort of Encumbered Estates Bill, and
Was introduced for the purpose of winding-up a disastrous
concern. There was no doubt that there had been great
mismanagement on the part of the commission, but that
formed a special ground for a measure like the present,
and ho would vote for the second reading.
Mr. COWPER said that this was a subject in which
the Government could officially interfere.
After some further discussion the amendment was with-
drawn, and the bill was read a second time.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT then formally moved that the bill
be referred to a committee of private members to be selected
by the house, which was agreed to.
PETITIONS.
Several petitions weic presented against the abolition of
church-rates ; against Parochial Assessment Bill, and the
Poor Law Removal Act; in ftzvour of the Thames embank-
ment being carried out under the direction of Government
and the Metropolitan Board of Works, &c.
NAPLES.
Lord R. MONTAGU moved an address for copy of de-
crees of the King of Naples of the Ist and 15th days of
March, and of the Ist day of May, 1860 ; together with all
the despatches of the English Minister at Naples enclosing
the same.—Ordered.
NATIVES OF INDIA.
In reply to Col. SYKES,
Lord PALMERSTON said his opinion was that the
claims of her Majesty's subjects in India had not, with re-
ference to eligibility for public employment, undergone any
alteration since the transfer of the Government of India
from the East India Company to her Majesty's Govern-
ment.
PRIZE MONEY FOR IRISH SOLDIERS IN
INDIA.
In reply to Sir E. Gno GAN,
Sir C ViTOOD said that at present the money could not
be paid to the soldiers in question, as the Government did
not know exactly who they were, or where they were at
present.
THE UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM.
In reply to Mr. FENWICK,
Sir G. C. LEWIS said it was intended to introduce a
bill for the appointment of a commission, with powers
similar to that of the commission on the Oxford and Cam-
bridge Universities.
DELINQUENT BOROUGHS.
In reply to Earl JERMYN,
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that with regard to Gloucester
and Wakefield the house had made an orc'er that no such
writ should be issued for these boroughs without a week's
notice being given. It was therefore competent for any
hon. member to give such notice, and in the meantime
the franchise of these boroughs would be suspended. With
respect to boroughs on which reports had been made, an
inquiry had been directed as to whether any prosecution
should be instituted.
FUNDS IN THE CHANCERY COURT.
Mr. DISRAELI asked a question relative to the Royal
Commission recently appointed to inquire into the custody
and management of the funds of the Court of Chancery.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER entered
into an explanation to the effect that it was considered the
time had arrived for the appointment of the commission in
question.
THE FRANCHISE IN SCOTLAND.
Sir E. C 0 LEBROOKE asked the Lord Advocate whether
it was his_intention to introduce any measure in the present
session on the subject of the registration of county voters
in Scotland.
Tho LORD-ADVOCATE said the subject was under
consideration.
CONGRESS ON ITALIAN AFFAIRS.
Mr. GRIFFITH asked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, whether her Majesty's Government were
of opinion, that now that, the first Italian Parliament had
assembled for the transaction of business, and had unani-
mously voted to the King of Sardinia the title of King of
Italy, there was any reason or necessity for the appointment
of any Congress, as had been suggested by the French
Government, to settle the internal affairs of Italy ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said there was no proposition before
the Government for any congress on the affairs of Italy,
and when it was made it would be the duty of her Majesty's
Government to consider it. (Laughter.)
REBEL OCCUPATION OF CHINA.
In reply to Mr. WHITE,
Lord J. RUSSELL said that her Majesty's Government
had not received any authentic information by the last mail
from China of the occupation alluded to. With regard to
the latter part of the hon. member's question, her Majesty's
Government had never interfered between the rebels and
the Government of China.
COLLIERY ACCIDENTS.
On the motion for adjournment till Monday,
Mr. DILLWYN drew the attention of the house to the
great number of violent deaths which occurred in the coal
mines, owing chiefly to explosions of fire-damp, and he con-
tended that more efficient supervision of these mines was
imperatively required.
[LEFT SPEARING.]

THT VICTORIA CROSS.

(From the Gazette of this Eveniug.)
WAR OFFICE, MARCH 1.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her in-
tention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the
undermentioned officers of her Majesty's Indian forces,
whose claims to the same have been submitted for her
Majesty's approval, on account of acts of bravery performed
by them in India, as recorded against their names, viz.:—
Colonel James Travers, late 2d Bengal Native Infantry—
For a daring act of bravery, in July, 1857, when the Indore
Presidency was suddenly attacked by Holkar's Troops, in
having charged the guns with only five men to sup-
port him, and driven the gunners from the guns,
thereby creating a' fayourable diverse; which saved