The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-04-07 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-WEDNESDAY

On the motion of Sir J. GRAHAM, the adjourned debate
on the Irish Suppression of Assassination Bill was fixed
for the following day. The right hon. baronet gave no
explanation of the non-making of the house on Tuesday.
The adjourned debate on Lord Ingestre's motion rela-
tive to the action brought against the proprietor of the
Wolverhampton Chronicle, for publishing a libel contained
in one of the Parliamentary blue books, was resumed ;
and, after a short di=cussion, the motion was withdrawn.
On the motion of Mr. MOFFATT, the Railway Deposits
Bill was read a second time.

Mr. P. SCROPE moved the second reading of the Des-
titute Poor (Ireland) Bill.
Sir J. GRAHAM opposed the bill on the ground that it
proposed to give such relief to the able-bodied poor, as
would interfere with the functions of the Board of Guar-
dians, and to attempt the impossibility of doing away with
mendicancy in Ireland.

Lord J. RUSSELL likewise opposed the motion

The second reading was negtived without a division.
The County Elections Bill was read a second time, and
the Insolvent Debtors (India) Bill was read a first time.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-THURSDAY

The Earl of RIPON moved votes of thanks to the officers
and men engaged in the recect conflicts in India, similar
to those moved in the House of Commons. We give
some extracts from the noble earl's speech elsewhere.

The Earl of AUCKLAND rose to second the motion in-
stead,of the Marquis of Lansdowne who was unavoidably
absent. After praising the consummate skill with which
the plans for the two battles had been conceived and exe-
cuted, the noble lord drew the attention of the house to
the valour displayed by the troops in general. and by the
Sheekawattee brigade in particular, on every occasion.—
There was one branch of the service, of rich some had
been disposed to form an unfavourable opinion, be meant
the Bengal artillery; but its efficiency had been triumph-
antly proved in the recent victories : nor cou'd anything
be added to the words of Sir H. Smith, " Our guns and
gunners, officers and men, may be equalled, but cannot be
excelled, by any artillery in the world." After lamenting
the loss of life which necessarily attended these glorious
achievements, the noble lord concluded by expressing his
hearty concurrence in the proposed vote.
The Duke of WELLINGTON, after expressing his de-
light at the unanimity which prevailed in the House on
the subject, proceeded to comment on the course of events
which had rendered war with the Sikhs inevitable, and on
the difficulties with which the Governor-General and
Commander-in-Chief had to contend in concentrating a
sufficient force to repel the threatened invasion, without
infringing the treaties which existed with the Sikh go-
vernment. Those treaties had been violated by the Sikhs,
and after their first attack had been repulsed, the series
of operations commenced, which ended in the victories for
which the thanks of the House were now asked. It was
necessary to relieve Loodianab, as well as to keep open a
communication in the rear, and this important task had
been confided to Sir H. Smith, who had accomplished
both objects, besides defeating the enemy with immense
loss. He (the Duke of Wellington) had never read of any
case in which more energy, ability, and gallantry had been
shown, than in that of the battle of Aliwal, and Sir H.
Smith had proved himself an honour to the country, and
that he was capable of rendering the most important ser-
vices. He quite concurred with what the Earl of Auck-
land had said respecting the Bengal Artillery ; such silly
reports, made by a parcel of ignorant persons, were not
worth notice; Enat corps, one of the most scientific in the
world, was composed not of natives, but of Englishmen,
and the House might be assured that it would always con-
duct itself, as Englishmen ever did, in a way becoming to
the country. The noble Duke then turned to the battle
of Sobraon. and after a warm eulocrium on Sir 11. Ilardinge
and all concerned in it, concluded by calling on the House
for an unanimous vote of thanks.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

INDIA.
ANOTHER VICTORY OVER THE SIKHS

Telegraphic despatches and an express in anticipation of
the Overland Mail have reached this country, bringing
news of a most important character. The British army
gained a decisive victory over the Sikhs on the 10,h of
February. The Bombay Times of March 3, says, " Ano-
ther great battle has been fought and victory won. On
the 10th ult , the Commander-in-Chief, with a force of
about 20,000 men, attacked the Sikhs, 36,000 strong, on
our side of the river at Hurrekee, and, after a severe and
bloody action, defeated them at all points, and drove them
across the river."

uch an engagement demat