The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-06 00:00:00

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(NO. 20,191.)

LONDON, FRIDAY Evt-O,NING, MARCH 6, -,67.

PUBLICATIONS.

fNiPERIAL PARLIAMENT

licy of lie Government. In those cases there Wit';
gco'l reason for bearing with the Government till a
new Parliament had declared what was to be the
policy of the country. But let me remind your
lordships that this case is widely different. The
House of Commons has condemned the Govern-
ment not on a legislative question, but on a
question of• high policy, that of peace or
war. The House of Commons has come to this
resolution :—" That this house has heard with
concern of the conflicts which have occurred be-
tween the Brit'sh and Chinese authorities in the
Canton river ; and, without expressing an opinion
as to the extent to which the Government of China
may have afforded this country cause of complaint
respecting the non-fulfilment of the treaty of 1842,
this house considers that the papers which have
been laid upon the table fail to establish satisfactory
grounds for the violent measures resorted to at
Canton in the late affair of the Arrow." Now let
it be considered what was the serious effect of such
a resolution. It was this: The country was virtu-
ally engaged in a war which the House of Commons
had branded as unjust; and the conduct of affairs
in the country with which we were at war was en-
trusted to a man whom the vote of the House of
Commons bad branded with the fault of having a ith-
out justification entered into those proceedings.
He wished to know whether, in the interval between
this time and the meeting of a new Parliament—
before the end of May, which I have just heard is the
period when it would meet—whether, in that in-
terval, during which tremendous events might take
place, the policy which had been branded by the
house of Commons would still be pursued, and the
dealing with the important questions which must
arise in China was to be committed to the hands of
a man whose moral authority in that country had
been destroyed by the vote of the House of Com-
mons. It was impossible, after the vote' of the
House of Commons, that that policy could be pur-
sued, and that the affairs of England at Canton
could be entrusted to the hands in which they were
at present placed. Ho would submit that if the
two Houses of Parliament were called on to give
facilities to her Majesty's Government in order
that they might be enabled to make that appeal to
the country which they desire—facilities which it
was in the power of either ho use to refuse--they were
entitled to have some satisfactory assurance on this
point from her Majesty's Government. He would
venture to say that what her Majesty's Govern-
ment ought to do, and which they might do,
was forthwith to recal Sir John Bowring, and
send out some person of high character and sta-
tion in whom confidence could be placed, with full
if peace was
ineiTt should aho
ppwoessieirlset;o caonniclude a
that itylaeceGwoivtehrCnitn)

usual instructions given to admirals on foreign stations
with regard to our plenip, tentlary.
WEEKLY COMMUNICATION WITH_INDIA.
En reply to a question fron. Mr. CATLEY,
Mr. V. SMITH said it was not intended at present
to open up a weekly communication with India. At
present there was a fortnightly communication.
Mr. KINNAIRD asked the secretary of State for
the Colonies if he had any objecton to lay on the table
of the house any despatches from till Governor of
Malta on the subject of the working of the Jury Law in
general, and especially with reference to the trial of the
murderer of Capt. Graves I
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he had not, and would
produce them if th, y were moved for.

THIRD AND CHEAPER EDITION, REVISED.
Now ready, in 1 vol. post Bvo., los. Gd., bound,
REVELATIONS of PRISON LIFE ;
with an Inquiry into Prison Discipline and econdary Pun-
ishments. By G. L. CHEsTERTOS, Twenty-I've Years Governor
of the House of Correction at Cold Rath-fields.
Hurst and Blackett, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-(YESTERDAY.)

The Loup CHANCELLOR took his seat on the wool-
sa* at 5 o'clock.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE presented several
petitions from different parts of the metropolis, praying
that incomes under 1501. per annum may be exempted
from the oneration of the income tax.
THE OPERATIONS AT CANTON.

The Earl of HARDWICKE begged to put a ques-
tion to the noble lord, the Secretary for War, of which
he had not given notice, but which perhaps he would be
able to answer. The noble lord, as well as other per-
sons, bad no doubt read in the newspapers that a seri-
ous change bad taken place in the ewe of affairs at
Canton. It appeared that the English forces had re-
trrated from Whampoa, the British fleet having been
attacking a squadron of junks, which retreated in good
order ; in consequence of which the admiral was com-
pelled to abandon the position he had occupied on the
wrecks of the factories, and at the same time he hart
burnt do wn the suburbs of Canton. He wished, there-
fore, to ask whether any despatches had been received
to that effect, and if they had been received why they
had not been published or laid on the table of the house?
As these statements had been received through two
channels it was to be presumed that they were true,
and he thought that the government in the present state
of public opinion on the subject ought to give every
information to the nation.
Lord PANMURE stated that the question which
the noble earl had put to him without notice was one
of a somewhat important character. In the first place,
he was not able to charge his memory with regard to all
the transactions which had recently taken place at Can-
ton ; and so far as the question alluded to the navy
there could be no despatches to his department. He
had, however, received a despatch from the officer com-
manding at Hong Kong, stating that a company of a
regiment had been engaged with the enemy, and burnt a
portion of the suburbs of Canton, and that some casual-
ties had taken place. The list of those casualties would
appear in the papers to-morrow.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that perhaps
that question ought to have been put to the Foreign
Secretary, and perhaps the noble earl could state whe-
ther he had received any despatches relative to the action
of Macao, the retreat from Whampoa, and the destruc-
tion of the suburbs of Canto❑
The Earl of CLARENDON said he had received
despatches from the admiral, stating the reasons why be
thought it necessary to withdraw from the Dutch Folly,
and to destroy the position be occupied in the suburbs of
Canton, which enabled the Chinese people to act with
hostility towards the fleet. It bad been found necessary
to send forces for the better protection of Hong Kong,
where disturbances were apprehended, and rewards of-
fered by the Chinese for assassination and incendiarisrn.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said the noble earl
would see that it was important to know the time when
the suburbs of Canton were destroyed. If the admiral
had retained the position in which he had been intrenched
he would have been justified in destroying the suburbs,
which gave a cover to the enemy ; but if he destroyed
them after be had determined to retire it was no use as a
military or morel operation, but an act of useless ven-
geance. It ought to be known when, and under what
circumstances, the destruction of the suburbs of Canton
took place.
Lord PANMURE was surprised at the misrepresen
tations which had been made of the conduct of the Bri

THE MINISTRY.
Lord PALMERSTON, who on rising was re.
ceived with loud cheers, said—Mr. Speaker, Sir—
In order to regularise what I am about t ) say, and
to put it in the power of any lion, member who on
his part has any remarks to make, I intend to con-
clude the statement I am about to submit to the
house by the formal motion that this house do now
adjourn. Sir, the house must naturally expect,
after what happened on Tuesday night, that I
should state to the house the course which, upon
due reflection, her Majesty's Government intend
to pursue. 'Under ordinary circumsfances, after a
vote by which the house by a majority, whatever
the amount of that majority might be, affirmed that
which many at least-take credit for considering to
be a vote of censure on the conduct of the Govern-
ment—under ordinary circumst inces, th 're could
hardly be au alternative left to the Govetninent on
whom such vote had been passed. (Hoar, hear.)
The natural course would he to tender to the
Sovereign the resignation of their offices, and
leave to those who had obtained the majority
the task of conducting the business of the
country. But the case seemed to me to be of so
peculiar a character that we have not deemed it
our duty to submit to the Sovereign the resigna-
tion of our offices. (Cheers.) There is another
course which a government, under such circum-
stances, might constitutionally adopt, and that is
the course which we have felt it our duty to pursue.
We have deemed it our duty to advise the crown,
at the earliest period at which the state of public
business will permit, to call upon the constituencies
of the country to exercise that action Which the con-
stitution places iu their hands. (Cheers.) Sir, I
say the circumstances are peculiar, becluse, while
on the one hand, looking simply to the result of that
last debate, we might say we have lo,t the confi-
dence of this house, yet on the other hand, looking
to the divisions which took place shortly before
upon questions involving very important portfous
of the policy of the government, the opposite
result took place. (Cheers.) lam afro bArrid
to say—l feel myself free to say—that some of
those who concurred in the vote of Tuesday
night did make it understood that that veto was
not to be considered as implying a withdrawal on
their part of the confidence which h'y had hitherto
placed in her Majesty's Government. (Hear) But,
sir, it is in vain to deny that that rot-) would render

take measures, which no doubt they had taken, fur
the protection of the lives and property of her Ma-
jesty's subjects in China. But this above all should
be done--that the individual who had brought this
country into the situation in which it was placed,
and who had brought on this unhappy war, ought
not to remain in the high position he nowoccupied ;
and unless her Majesty's Government gave satis-
faction on that point, it would be the duty of their
lordships and of the other House of Parliament, by
an humble address to her Majesty, to express their
feeling on that subject ; and if no other person
undertook the task, he (E trl Grey) should be pre-
pared to take it on himself.
Earl GRANVILLE—I can understand the
question of the noble earl being put with propriety
in another place, where the resolution iu question
has been carried ; but not in your lordships' house,
where, after full discussion, your lordships came to
a contrary opinion. At the same time lam unwil-
ling to refuse togive your lOratiripiiistich general in-
formation as I can possibly give. I can assure
your lordships that even before the close of the de-
bate on the subject of affairs in China, we hal fully
considered what would be the best mode of termi-
nating the present unsatisfactory state of the rela-
tions between this country and China. We do not
take the resolution of the House of Commons as in-
tended t ) indicate that we are to refrain from tak-
ing every necessary step to defend the lives and pro-
perty of British subjects in China, nor do we admit
that we are bound to patch up in any way our rela-
tions with China ; but we think that we shall act in
concurrence with that resolution if we take every
step which is calculated to settle this question as a
whole, and in doing so we believe that we shall not
incur the blame of your lordships, or the other
house of Parliament, even in the present state of
things, and still less when the other house shall
have been re-elected after a dissolution of Parlia-
ment.

it very difficult, if not unseemly, for th 3 Govein
meet, with regard to whom it was pas-el, to under-
take to conduct the business of the country in the
ordinary manner, through the ratof a long session.
(Cheers.) And moreover, the state of p:irties which
that vote indicated also appears to me to sho -v,
connected with ft() various votes an.l fluctua.ing
opinions of the house in regard to its majorities
former occasions, that it would be extremely diffi-
cult for any government that could now be fetintd
—whether the government which at present exists,
or any other government, however efficient it
might be—and I say this not as a mat' or of com-
pliment, but as a matter of truth—wit mPaning to
have recourse to taunts, but merely stating facts—
say it would be wry difficult for the present Go-
vernment, it would be very difficult for that which
I admit to be an efficient Government, if formed by
a combination of parties, to carry on the business
of the country throughout the a ssion in the
present state of feeling in wh'cli this house
happens to be. (Hear.) I will not snide to the
difference of opinion between the two houses on
the question which was put to issue en Tuesday.
I do not think that would be a sufficient reason.
But still it is an element to show what various
opinions exist with regard to the present Adminis-

tish admiral and commander —(hear)—wi thout noble lords
knowing what were the circumstances which had oc-
curred. He must say that he blushed at the conversation
which had taken place, and which tended to throw blame,
in the eyes of the country, on gallant men engaged in
doing their duty and maintaining the honour and inte-
rests of the country, and who bad maintained them in a
position of difficulty. The circumstances were these :
the Admiral was placed in such a position at the Dutch
Folly with regard to the ships of war, that junks coining
up the river and sinking impediments in a particular
manner, would have stopped the return of his ships.
Finding that be was placed in a bad nailitary'position,
he withdrew from it to another position at what was
called Bird'enest Fort, in the neighbourhood of Canton,
but below the passage in question, and where his ships
could lie in safety and not be open to the danger of
junks coming up and stopping the passage, and in de-
stroyirg the suburbs of Canton he (Lord Paninure) would
stake his character as a peer of Parliament and a gentle-
man of England, that the admiral bad only done what
fair warfare justified, and not such an act of cruelty as
the noble earl had represented ; and he believed that Sir
Michael Seymour's character stood, as an officer of the
navy, and as a humane and Christian gentleman, as high
as that of any man in the country. (Hear, hear, and
cheers.)

ration as compared with those who might be its
successors. (Hear.) Well, s'r, this Parliament is
now in its fifth year. It is, measuring its duration
by that which it has seen, a very old Parliament.
It has seen more of things of importance than have
fallen to the lot of most Parliaments in that tliort
space of time. It has seen three Administrations
—the Administration which called it tog ther, the
Administration formed almost immeliately after-
wards, and the Administration which now sits en
these benches. It has seen the transition from a
state of profound peace to a great European
war. It has seen the transition from a great
European war to the restoration, fortunately,
of European peace. And therefore this Par'ia-
ment .has, I say, done in the way of events, of
which it has been the instigator, as much as
could be supposed to fall to the lot of any
Parliament. (Hear, hear.) I think if the state of
business in this house would have admitted of an
immediate return to our constituent 4, that wou'd
have been the course which it would have been most
proper and most seemly to adopt. But tha state of
public business does not admit of our taking that
course. We have not yet voted anything in the
way of estimates for the public service. We have
not arranged anything in regard to the taxation of
the country. We have not passed the Yiutiny Act,
which would expire before it would be possible to
cause Parliament to reassemble to provide for the
maintenance of discipline in the army. Therefore,
what I humbly beg to propose to this house is this,
that we should do on the present occasion that
which has been done on former similar occasions—
that which was done in part during tile administra_
tion of Lord Derby, when an early dissolution was
announced—namely, that this house should content
itself with passing those provisional arid temporary
measures which are necessary for the public service
until the earliest period when the new Parliament
can assemble. For that purpose I propose that
instead of arranging certain taxes for a period of
three years, we should determine them only for
the ensuing year. (Hear.) It is obvious, I think,
to all, that there are certain taxes with regard to
which it would bo a great embarrassment to com-
merce if they were settled for too short a period.
But we do not think that a parliament which is
coming to a conclusion would properly be called
upon to determine with regard to them for a longer
period than a year. (Hear.) Upon the same prin-
ciple we should propose to the housa to vote
sums on account of the estimates for a portion of
the year. We propose also to p3S3 the Mutiny Act
for only a portion of the year—(hear, hear)—leav-
ing the Parliament which may assemble towards
the end of May to deal with all those great matters
which must then come under its consideration.
(Hear, hear.) I should hope, sir, that the house
will see that the course which we are proposing
to adopt is one which is in accordance with the
principles of the constitution—(hear, hear)—and
that honourable gentlemen will not place any
obstruction in the way of our arriving at the
time when a fresh election may take place, or
interpose any unnecessary difficulties in the way of
our adopting that course which we think the pub-
lic service requires. (Cheers.) We shalt abstain
from proceeding with anything but that which will
be ab.solutely necessary. There are many gentle-
men who have strong opinions on various subjects
which they would wish to bring under the notice of
the house. They will, I thiok, feel that measures
of such importance cannot properly be taken into
consideration by a Parliament sitting as this one
will continue to do. I shall only therefore express
my hopethat the same honourable forbearance which
has been shown by former Parliaments under simi.
ler oirounastanoes will be shown by the present Par-

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that the noble
lord (lid not seem to understand what be had said. The
whole matter depended on the time at which the acts in
question were done. If the Admiral was about to re_
turn to his position he might have been justified in
debtroying any place which afforded a cover to the
enemy ; but if he had retired altogether from before
Canton, which he did by gOing to the Bird'snest Fort
that act was unjustifiable as a military operation.
Lord PANMURE—I deny it.
PERSIA.
The Earl of MALMESBURY asked the noble earl
the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether it was true
that a treaty of peace had been signed between this
country and Persia ?

The subject then dropped.
PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRA.

TION BILL.
This bill passed through committee pro forme,
CHIEF CONSTABLES BILL.
On the motion for reading this bill a third time,
The Marquis SALISBURY moved, as an amend-
ment, that copies of the correspondence between the
magistrates of Staffordshire and Sir G. Grey should be
laid upon the table.
Their lordships divided_...
For the third reading
For the amendment l3-15
The bill was read a third time and passed.
The Public Health Supplemental Bill (1857) and the
lonian Subjects Commission Bill were also read a third
time and passed.
BENEFICES UNDER 2001. A YEAR.
Viscount DUNGANNON moved for a return of the
number of benefices within the diocese of London having
endowments under 2001. a year, specifying the popula-
tion in connection with such benefices, the name of each
benefice, and those of them which are without a resi-
dence for the incumbent.
After a few words from several noble lords, the mo-
tion was agreed to.
Their lordships then adjourned.

Earl CL iiRENDON said he was happy to say that a
treaty of peace bad been signed. That treaty had not
been signed until Lord Cowley had satisfied himself that
the Persian ambassador was possessed of ample powers.

THE MINISTRY.
Earl GRANVILLE then rose and said—With
your lordships' permission, I propose to state to
the house some information with regard to the
course which her Majesty's Government deem it
their duty to take in consequence of what has oc-
curred in another place. When a Government finds
itself in a minority the usual course would be to
tender their resignation to her Majesty ; but on
full consideration of the circumstances of the case
they have felt it, in the present instance, not to be
their duty to take that course. Looking to all the
circumstances of the case—considering that in ano-
ther place on an important question rela'ing to the
financial condition of the country, the Government
received the support of a large majority; feeling
also grateful to your lordships for the support they
received from you on the subject of the present
state of affairs in China ; looking also at the
composition of the present House of Commons,
from which it appears not probable that a
strong Government could be formed in the existing
state of that house ; and also considering that
that house has been in existence for nearly five
years, has seen three governments in power ; that
it has seen the nation at war, has seen that war
concluded, and the re-establishment of peace--all
these considerations induce the Government to
think that it would be much to the advantage of the
country and to the public interests that a reference
should be made to the country in order that it may
declare its Wishes with regard to its future govern_
ment. Without going into any detail of the reasons
which have induced her Majesty's Government to
adopt this course, all I shall say is, that the Go-
vernment will only ask both houses of Parliament
to accept such temporary measures as will enable
them in a short time to apply to the country for a
new Parliament, and to ascertain their wishes as to
the future government of the country. Ido not
anticipate that this view of the Government will
meet with lany opposition from any party in the
state, but that they will all agree in the necessity of
as soon as possible ascertaining the feeling of the
country in this respect.

Earl GREY had no wish to raise a discussion on
the subject, but it appeared to him on the question
raised by his noble friend information was required
and ought to be supplied. He would remind .the
house that in former cases, when the Government
had been defeated in the House of Commons, and
instead of resigning office, her Majesty's Govern-
ment thought fit to appeal to the country—in all
previous cases of this kind the difference of opinion
between Parliament and the Government had
arisen on a question of legislative policy. It was so
in 1784, when Mr. Pitt held office against a majo-
rity of the House of Commons. It was in 1841,
when, there was a rcoidance to_the commercial pg.

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liament. (Cheers.) There is this to be said in fa-
vour of the course we are pursuing, that now at
least the country will have an early and free choice
between different administrations—a choice which,
without meaning to say anything uncivil to any
party in the house, I think I may say the country
could not in the same degree have had until that
combination of parties had led to the state in which
the Government now finds itself placed. (Cheers.)
As I said before I am stating a fact, without cast-
ing the slightest imputation upon those to which
this combination of parties is owing, but I think it
may be advantageous to the country to possess such
a choice. (Cheers.) The people will be aide to
choose between two different and efficient admini-
strations, and that is the ground which I think will
justify us in throwing upon the countrytha respon-
sibility of determining what administration shall
be invested with the conduct of the affairs of the
nation. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. DISRAELI—Sir, I think the noble lord
has dealt frankly with the house, and I wish to re-
spond, as I am sure every member of the house
does, in the same spirit, to the noble lord. (Cheers.)
I am not surprised at the counsel which the noble
lord and his colleagues has tendered to the Sove-
reign. I think, on the whole, it is the course
most advantageous to the public interest. I shall
myse'f, will that feeling, give every facility for
forwarding the public business—(cheers)--con-
sistently with a regard to what is due to the coen-
try. Sir, I trust that the result of this appeal to the
country, which I, for one, look to with no appre-
hension, may prove of great advantage to the
public interests. I do think it is of the utmost
importance to the character of Parliament and to
the advantage of this realm, that Parliamentary
parties should be more distinctly defined than they
now are. (Hear.) I am persuaded myself that
that habit which has of late been too much in
vogue, of decrying the advantage and influence of
party has had a very injurious effect upon the con-
duct of public affairs. (Cheers.) Party spirit is
the best guarantee for public and private honesty,
and I trust that, when this recurrence to the sense
of the country has been pursued, members will be
r eturned to this house with definite views—(cheers)
—that we sir ill know -who is prepared to change
and who is ready to maintain the institutions of
their country—who is in favour of a reduction of
the burdens of the people and who is iu favour of
increasing them—who is in favour of a certain
policy which, while it maintains the true interest
and dignity of the country, is conciliatory to all
other states, and who is in favour of that turbulent
and aggres-ive system which I believe must in-
crease the burdens of the people—(Cheers)—and
ultimately endanger and diminish the power of the
country. Sir, I repeat that I shall meet the invita-
tion of the Lcol.B lord with the same frankness and
candour with which it has been made. He will ex-
perience fr. me, and I think I may answer for
tire gentlemen on this side of the house, no sinister
conduct. We shall give every facility to the pro-
gress of pullic business which we believe is sin-
cerely intended to produce that result ; but a,. the
same time I shall expect on the part of the Govern-
ment a clear description of the course which they
intend to pursue, as several matters have been
brought before us which I cannot believe, so far as
I can form an opinion, can be cast aside exactly in
the manner which I infer, from the tone of the
noble hard, he anticipates. But I repeat that we
willsincerely assist the noble lord in the conduct
of public business, so far as wa can, without endan-
gering the in'erests of the country. (Cheers.)
Mr. COBD.EN—Sir, I rose at the same time as the right
hoe. gentleman, because Ithonght there was an omission in
the not le lord's speech which ought tohave been explained
before any remarks were made by those hon. gentlemen
who feel disposed to take part in this discussion. On
Tuesday last, after a debate in this house which lasted
four nights, and which, I may say, was unprecedented
for ability and argument since the time when Sir R. Peel
retired front office, this house came to a solemn rote on
a question not merely affecting ordinary interests, such
as we are in the habit of deliberating upon in this house,
but affecting the lives of vast numbers of people at a re
mote distance from our shores. That vote, sir, has at-
tracted, and will attract, a world-wide notice; but it has
been entirely ignored in the remarks which the noble lord
hes made on this occasion. Now, sir, I do not rise to say
one word in opposition to the propriety of the course
the noble lord has adopted in determining to dissolve
Patliainebt. I think if the noble lord is going to the coun-
try and wishes to have a cry which may be eminently
serviceable to his opponents and damaging to his fol-
lowers, he has certainly hit upon that cry. For what must
be said at the hustings by those who present themselves
for re-election under present circumstances? Looking to
the votes given by the noble lord during the last 10 days
in the course of which he has torn from the hands of my
hon. friend tl..e member for East Surrey (Mr. L. Krug)
the last remai- ing rag of the old reform banner, and bas
trampled under foot even the miserable modicum of re-
form, the 101. county franchise—(hear)—having voted
again,t everything which has entered into the traditions
of the liberal party—after slapping in the face the hon.
member for the Tower Hamlets, who proposed the abo-
lition of church. rates—the noble lord now sends his fol-
lowers to the country with the cry of " Palmerston for
ever—no reform—and China war." (Cheers.) If the noble
lord is going to an election on such es policy, in order to
play into the handset hon. gentlemen opposite, he has hit
upon an excellent device. lam only surprised that hon.
gentlemen opposite should follow him in that course. But
what I want to ask the noble lord is, what is he going to
do in consequence of the vote the other night ? That is a
practical que,tion, and I will show it is a practical ques-
tion, even on the point of view of the Government itself,
from what we have heard during this debate. Has not
the noble lord told us, have not all the right hon. gentle-
men opposite who have spoken from the ministerial
bench tell us, that the effect of an adverse vote would
be to imperil the safety of Englishmen living in China,
that it would be extremely prejudicial to our interests in
the East ? ‘Vell, the result of that vote has gone out to
Chiaa with the mail which went out yesterday. But we
all know it is possible to go four days after by way of
France to Marseilles, to meet the mail at Malta. This
is the sth of March, letters may go on the fleh, but pas-
sengers to be safe should go on the Bth. It is possible
for a person to leave London on the Bth and go by Mar-
seilles to Malta and catch the steamer there, and then
go by Alexandria overland to India and China. I ask
the noble lord what course of action he intends to take
in consequence of the vote of Tuesday night ? Ido not
shrink from the responsibility, in common with
the rest of those who voted with me, of say-
ing what ought to have been done by the Govern
went if it held office a day or two after that vote,
because in a matter of this pressing emergency the exe-
cutive Government has no right to hold office unless it
is prepared to carry out the resolutions of this house.
as far as I am concerned,
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of this adverse vote may be misunderstood in China,'and
great danger may be apprehended. Then the first con-
sideration is the safety of our countrymen in China. I
do not share that apprehension of danger. If we read
what is going on at Hong Kong and at Singapore, I
think the mischief appears to be about as great as it can
possibly amount to. But I will take the position the Go-
vernment assumes, that there is danger to be appre.
hended ; and what should you do ? Send out a comps.
tent person armed with full authority to represent the
Government here, let him supersede all existing British
authorities in China, and let him have instructions to act
according to how he may find things there. Surely you
may find, at 3 three days' notice, a man with a head on his
shoulders to take the instructions and carry them out.
The news must arrive at Hong Kong first. Hong Kong
is an island, and a couple of steam-frigates is sufficient to
protect it from the whole naval force of the Chinese em-
ve
pire. You have a sufficient naval fto;:evre
apt
:hat,
ve
nres there.
uo
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no English at Canton ; but you might send a naval forceea_L
to the ports further north, and as a steamer canerpourat
those ports before any intelligence can reachofonplacing
from another overland, you have
them in a state of defence before the
of an adverse vote in this house. Now, in
h
at
and
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I am pointing out the course to sendin out
the danger spoken of by the Govbeertuamkeeinnat_ic existing,