The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-17 00:00:00

WAR WITH CHINA.

Mr. M`KINNox begged to ask the noble lord whether the
government were aware that the governor-general had de-
clared war against China, as reported ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said the government were not in pos-
session of official information of any act amounting to a
declaration of war. Directions had been given by the go-
vernment to the governor-general to make certain prepara-
tions ; and although no official intelligence had been recived,
no doubt those preparations had given rise to the report.
He spoke, however, only from conjecture; he had no official
information whatever.

Sir R. PEEL—Supposing that the report were to prove
true, and that a declaration of war had been made, he would
like to put a few questions to the government. Ist. Sup-
posing such a war were made, was it to be carried on on
account of this country, and at the expense of the United
Empire? 2dly. Whether, supposing the report were true,
it was the intention of her majesty's government to bring
down any message to parliament announcing their intention
to resort to hostilities ?
Lord PALMERSTON apprehended that any communication
which might take place with the government of China,
would be carried on by the authority of, and in the name of,
the Queen of Great Britain. Whatever assistance might be
afforded by the governor-general to us in any operations that
might take place against China, would be lent to this country,
and would not be on the account of the East India Company.
It was not the intention of the government to bring down
any message to the house upon the matter.
Sir R. PEEE had said, supposing that war was proclaimed,

, . ..,
in that event he wished to inquire whether any formal mes-
sage would be sent down ?
Lord PALMERSTON.—The communications which would

take place between this country and the government of
China would take place in the name of the sovereign of Great
Britain, and not cn account of the East India Company.
(Laughter.)
Sir R. PEEL.—In the case of war entered into by the
Indian government, and on its own account, he could under-
stand why there should be no message, because it would be
ruled. by precedent. But in the case of a war entered into
on account of the British government, at the charge of the
British crown, and in the name of her majesty—such being
the state of things, he apprehended that the house ought to
have some formal notice of it.
Lord PALMER.STON had used the word " communications,"

not the word "hostilities." (Laughter.)
Mr. PALMER begged to ask whether the instructions sent
out to the governor-general of India differed from those
which had been sent to Sir F. Maitland ?

Lord PALMERSTON'S reply was inaudible.
Mr. HERIUES said the noble lord had laid upon the table
certain documents relative to the communications that had
taken place between the governor and the parties claiming
compensation for the opium destroyed. None of these papers
came down later than the 13th of June, 1839, and he wished
to know whether there were any additional documents on the
subject to be laid before the house. lie also wished to know
if there were any further documents with respect to the
instructions sent out from that country to the British super-
intendent at China ?
Lord PALMERSTON said all the communications that had
taken place between the parties claiming compensation and
the government, had been laid on the table. With regard to
the other question, all papers which had been called for by
the motion, and everything bearing upon the question had
been laid on the table.