The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-11 00:00:00

THURSDAY, APRIL 6.

- THE BLACK SEA.—The Earl of MALMESBURY asked
whether there was any truth in the report that the Rus-
sian fleet had left Sebastopol, and landed a number of
troops at the mouth of the Danube. Nothing could be
more mortifying than the inactivity of our fleet in Beicos
Bay under such circumstances, when it might easily have
intercepted the Russian reinforcements.—The Earl of
CLARENDON replied that he had reason to believe that the
Russian fleet had not quitted Sebastopol at all. The story
of its having been seen at sea was found, on investigation,
to be unworthy of credit. The port of Sebastopol had
been carefully watched, and certainly so late as the 22nd
ult., when it was reconnoitred by an English steamer, the
Russian fleet was still there. On the 24th, the whole of
the combined fleets left Beicos Bay for Varna, and the
latest despatches of Admiral Dundas expressed his entire
disbelief of the report that the Russians had quitted Se-
bastopol.
The Arbitration Law Amendment Bill was read a second
time on the motion of Lord BROUGHAM.
SCOTCH CLAIMS.—The Earl of EGLINTOUN moved an
address to the Queen, founded on a petition from the Na-
tional Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights,
and, in an elaborate speech, advocated the redress of the
grievances under which the petitioners alleged that Scot-
land now laboured.—The Earl of ABERDEEN opposed the
motion, both as a minister and a Scotchman, and, after a
discussion, in which the Duke of ARGYLL and Lord PAN-
munEtook part, the motion was withdrawn.

Their lordships adjourned at ten minutes past eight,

FRIDAY, APRIL 7.

AMATEUR DIPLOMATISTS,—Lord CAMPBELL laid on
the table a bill to prevent any unauthorised negotiations
or intercourse touching public affairs between the subjects
of Her Majesty and persons of State. He said the object
of the measure was to enforce the law of nations, by which
it was provided that any intercourse between individual
nations, respecting public affairs, should only be conducted
by the governments of those countries, or their ambassa-
dors or ministers, duly authorised and responsible for the
advice they might give.
DAY or PRAYEII.—In answer to a question, the Earl of
ABERDEEN stated that Wednesday, the 26th inst., had
been appointed for a day of prayer and humiliation on
account of the war.

TEE WAR.—Earl GREY made a long speech, and moved
for copies of any correspondence between the different
departments of Her Majesty's Government with respect to
any additions which had been made to the department of
the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, and also
with regard to any changes which have been made in the
transaction of business relating to the administration of.
the army.—The Duke of NEWCASTLE consented to pro-
duce the papers, but defended the existing ;system of ma-
nagement.—Lord HARDINGE, without discussing the pro-
priety of the changes recommended, assured the honk
that, during his experience, he had never felt any incon-
venience from the existing system.—The Earl of ELLEN-
BOROUGII said the house would have to consider, after
Easter, the whole question of our military preparations for
the present war. The military power of the country
should be subordinate to the civil authority, but he was
averse to the establishment of a board, as destructive to the
feelings of individual responsibility if practised.—Lord
PANMIIRE thought the departments of the army, the navy,
and the ordnance; should be united gradually under one
head.—Earl GREY then replied, and the motion was
agreed to.—Their lordships adjourned at ten o'clock.