The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-11 00:00:00

2rbirbf Mbition

SUN OFFICE, Severt, o'Clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(This Evening.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.
IMMIGRATIGN OF FREE NEGROES.
The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, seeing the noble earl
the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, elated his attention to
the scheme for the immigration of free Negroes in the
French colonies.
It had come to his (Earl Sbaftee-
bury's) knowledge that a decree had been issued by the
French Government for the purpose of carrying the
scheme into effect. The question be begged to ask was,
whether it was true that any such decree had been
leaned !
The Earl of CLARENDON said he was gratified in
being able to inform their lordships that the decree to
which the noble earl referred had no existence, but be
believed that certain contracts bad been entered into
with several firms, and which agreements bad received
the assent of the French Government on the
understanding that it should be a bona fide immigration
of free negroee. Now, it was impossible for such a con-
dition to be fulfilled, as there was no such thing as free
immigration from Western Africa. We ourselves had tried
the scheme 16 years ago, !the negro bad been treated
ith every comfort, and had had his return to his native
country guaranteed to him, but the plan utterly and
signally failed. It was felt that the further trying the
plan Would lead to the revival of the slave trade, and the
project was finally abandoned. The plan adopted by the
Trench Government was, that a number of African chiefs
were to supply a certain number of negroes on board
ship, and a form was gone through of asking those ne-
groes whether they were willing, for a certain
amount of money, to work in a French colony
for a limited period. Now, it was perfectly clear that,
under such circumstances, there could be no free choice,
and the contractors to the French Government were
brought into contact with the regular Spanish slave dealers.
The British Government bad entered into communication
with the French Government on the point, and the
subject bad been considered by the French Government,
in order to bring the grievance to an end. The French
Government had informed her Majesty's Ministers
that although there was in fact no treaty on the subject,
yet they intended to act as if it was in existence, and
they further solemnly declared there was no intention
of reviving the slave trade, but that they were as anxious
At the present moment to put a stop to the infamous
traffic as they were when they signed the declaration in
1815, for the suppression of the slave trade.
The Earl of DERBY did not for an instant doubt the
sincerity of the French Government, but he felt that
the scheme of free immigration was a perfect delusion,
and was in fact but the revival of the slave trade in
another form.
The Earl of CLARENDON said he believed there
was no intention on the part of the French Government
t) forcibly put an end to the project.
_ _

Earl GREY was also of op-iniOn that the scheme could
lead to nothing else but a revival of the slave trade. When
be held the seals of the colonial department be was con-
stantly urged to permit a trial of the scheme, but he had
invariably refused. He hoped her Majesty's Ministers
would keep -the subject in view and not allow it to
sleep.

The subject then dropped.
(LEFT SPITING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS—('Phis Evening.)

The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBERS.
Mr. DEEDS took the oath and his seat for West Kent,
and Mr. BAGSHAW, jun., for Harwich.
MAIN DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS.
Mr. LAURIE asked the First Commissioner of
Works, whether any, and if so, what steps had been
taken for the purpose of carrying out so much of the
Act'lB and 19 Vic., c. 120, as relates to the main drain-
age of the metropolis.
Sir B. HALL at great length minutely entered into
the f.tate of this question, from the passing of the act in
3355, up to the present time, the particulars of which
have already been made public through the press by
reporting the proceedings before the Metropolitan Board
of Works, and the conference between that board and
the right hon. baronet. He said that what he con.
tended for was, that the Metropolitan Board of Works
were bound to cleanse the Thames from the pollution
that passed through it in the metropolitan area, but the
Metropolitan Board of Works contended that they were
only called on to carry out that which was generated in
the metropolitan area generally, and not anything gene-
rated outside it.
In answer to a question from General CODRINGTON,
Sir B. HALL said that great misapprehension
prevailed with referecce to the outlet of the drainage.
What he had always contended for, and did now, was
that the outfalls should be at the points indicated in
Captain Birstall's report.
NEW WRIT.
A new writ was ordered for Whitehaven, in the room
of Mr. Hildyard, deceased.
ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.
Mr. GRIFFITHS gave notice that on an early day
after the recess he should call the attention of the
Government to the application of the French Govern-
ment to the Turkish Government for peralission to con-
struct the Suez Canal.
BARON ROTHSCHILD.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that immediately
after the recess he should call the attentio❑ of the house
to the fact, that during the two preceding sessions of
Parliament three of the members for the City of London
only bad taken their seats, he should move a resolution
that Baron Rothschi►d be permitted to take the oaths
as appointed by law most binding on his conscience,
and in accordance with the faith ha professed. (Cheers.)
NEW SOUTH WALES.
In answer to a question from Lord A Cnuacamn,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said it was intended to sepa-
rate Moreton Bay in the colony of New South Wales,
from that presidency, the boundary to be near the river
St. Lawrence. With regard to the form of legislation
it would be on the model of New South Wales, but on
what principle, whether strictly what was called execu-
tive or not he could not then give an answer.
. THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND
SURGERY.
Mr. KINNAIRD asked the Vice President of the
C ,uncil of Education whether it was the intention of her
Majesty's Government to introduce any measure after
the Christmas recess, with the view of amending the
laws relating to the practice of medicine and surgery in
the United Kingdom ?
Mr. COOPER said it was the intention of the
Government to introduce such a measure.
TRANSFER OF LAND (IRELAND )
Mr. VANCE asked the Attorney-General for Ire-
land if the Government intended, during the present
session, to bring in a bill to facilitate and simplify
the transfer of land in Ireland?
Mr. FITZGERALD said such a measure was under
the consideration of the Government.
THE BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Mr. HEADLAM asked the Attorney-General whe-
ther it was the intention of the Government to introduce
sty amendment of the law of bankruptcy in the present
session of Parliament ?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the bankruptcy
la w required legislative interference. (Hear, hear.) The
subject was under consideration, but he could not state
when a bill would be introduced upon the subject.
TRANSPORTING INDIAN MUTINEERS.
Mr. ARTHUR MILLS asked the President of the
Bard of Control whether the attention of Her Majesty's
Government bad been called to the question of trans-
porting a certain number of the mutineers in India to
such of the West Indian or other colonies as may signify
their willingness to receive such transported offenders,
and their families, and to contribute to the cost of their
removal ; also, whether, in the event of any measures
for the transportation of such offenders being adopted,
the Government of India were empowered to carry out
such measures under the Acts of the Governor-General
in Council of May and June last, for the punishment of
offences against the State, and military offences ?
Mr. V. SMITH said it was a question of great im-
portance and delicacy. The subject had occupied the
attention of the Government. It would be very
desirable to have a place to transport thorn
whose lives would be epered ; but the question was,
where to send them. Of course they could only be sent
to such colonies as were willing to receive them. He
believed no punishment would be dreaded more by the
high-caste natives especially as transportation.
SMITHFIELD MARKET.
Mr. HANBURY asked the Chancellor of the Exche-
titer, whether the consent of the Government was likely
to be given to any proposition of the Corporation of
the City of Londo❑ to build over the site of Smithfield
Market, whether for a Dead Market or any other pur-
pose ?

- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
believed it was the intention of the City of London to
introduce in the ordinary manner a private bill for
establishing a dead meat market in some part not far
from Smithfield. The question with regard to the
gvoutid claimed by the Crown would be hft to the
decision of the select committee on thaL bill.
PRIZE MONEY.
11"141. LAURIE asked the Under Secretary for War,
remlye vit laaonYz6 money was to bo distributed to the
the Queen,6 tore engaged in the Crimea ? and, whether
easure at
wou inindia, who t,:ok posJession of
,
Sir J. RA.MSDEI4:..eu"3" allotted to them ?
tribute ar
ch the said the former was too small to
and Y. counting more than e. 6d, to each officer,
would therefore take place. • to each soldier. None
Mr. V. SMITH said with reference toD • a
money would only be allowed where then`
treatstrihPre. wnazs-
near
taken from the natives. (near, hear,)
MINISTER OF JUSTICE.
Mr. WARREN asked whether any and
what pro_
gees in the angemente t,m for s, 1. -
gress bad been mad
iug a Department of Justice, arr
in e,conformity with the
vedge given by the Government in the last i
session
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the matter had
been under consideration. He should be mole to give a
more satisfactory answer after the receo.
THE REBELLION IN INDIA.
Mr. BLACKBURN asked if the Indian government
bad resolved to admit the principle that compensation
was to be made for property destroyed by the rebellion
in India.
Mr. VERNON SMITH said the question had not yet
.been decided.
PETITION FROM CALCUTTA.
Mr. WISE asked why the memorial from the

inhabitants of Calcutta, complaining of the Governor
General, had not been presented to the House of
Commons, and by whose authority it had been with-
held. _ _

Lord PALMERSTON said he hail returned it,
because it was contrary to the invariable rule to re-
ceive such docnments, except through the Governor-
General, who, at the same time, forwarded his answer
to the complaint, by which Government were put
into possession of the facts on both sides.
BISHOPS' RETIRING PENSIONS.

Mr. GRIFFITHS asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury, whether it was his intention to bring in a bill this
session to provide retiring pensions for bishops resigning
their sees, according to his pledge of last session ?
Lord PALMERSTON said the subject was still under
the consideration of the government. He was unable
to make any pledge on the subject. (Hear, hear.)
RIGHT TO PRACTICE IN THE ADMIRALTY
COURT.

Mr. HADFIELD asked the Attorney-General
whether he intended to bring in a bill to abolish the
right to practise in the Court of Admiralty, now enjoyed
by proctors (who were empowered under the Probate
Bill t 9 become attorneys and solicitors), and to enable
the legal profession generally to practise in that court, as
decided by a committee of the whole house in the last
session, during the discussion of said Probate Bill ?
The ATrORNEY-GENERAL said the subject was
under consideration. Probably a measure to that effect
would be brought in after the recess, but he was unable
to say when.