The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-03-07 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY

Sir R. PEEL assented to the production of the papers
moved for by Lord Palmerston relating to the Ashburton
treaty, with the exception of such parts as were confidential.
The right hon. baronet also said he would, on Monday,
state the course be would adopt with respect to the question
of privilege.

Lord
STANLEY, in reply to a question from Mr. LABOU-
CiIERE, said there was no truth in the rumour that in the
measure relating to the importation of Canadian flour a clause
was to be introduced for the purpose of excluding flour ma-
nufactured from grain grown in the United States. It would
be sufficient if the flour was manufactured in Canada to con-
stitute it colonial flour. He did not expect to be able to in-
troduce the new measure before Easter.
Lord PALMERSTON, in reference to Mr. Roebuck's charge
of falsehood against the Simia proclamation, in which it was
stated that Shah Soojah would " enter Affghanistan sur-
rounded by his troops, observed, that the proclamation was
fulfilled within six months of its date; but, even if it had
never been fulfilled, that circumstance would not have im-
peached the proclamation. Shah Soojah had entered Canda-
har, " surrounded by his troops," which were partly com-
posed of Hindostanees and partly of Afghans.
Mr. ROEBUCK said his charge was that the proclamation
had been drawn up for the express purpose of delusion ; and,
in support of this charge, he quoted a letter from Col. Dennie,
in which that lamented officer declared that Shah Soojah had
not a single Affghan in his whole army. He would ask if
that army was not commanded by British officers, and paid
out of British funds?

Lord PALMERSTON admitted that it was commanded by
British officers, but it was paid by Shah Soojah, by means
of a subsidy from this country.

In reply to a question from 11,1 r. EWART,
Sir R. PEEL said that he was unable to give any further
information respecting any alteraiton of the sugar duties
than he had formerly given.
In reply to questions from Mr. A. SMITH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that Govern-
ment was in possession of every information respecting the
value of the .opium seized in China, and he would lay the
whole of the papers before Parliament, in order that an
opinion might be formed as to the proper course to be pur-
sued.

In reply to a'iities'tion from Mr. EWART,
Sir R. PEEL said that it was not his intention to take any
step with respect to monopoly of the growth of opium in In-
dia until he should have an opportunity of ascertaining the
opinion of Sir H. Pottinger.
The house then went into a committee of supply, and the
navy estimates were proceeded with.
A discussion took place as to the propriety of paying more
attention to building steam ships of war, Sir C. NAPIER
declaring that we had never built one in this country that
could be called good, or that could keep the machinery in
anything like safety. In fact a cannon ball would go right
through the boiler of any of them, and cause an explosion,
and the men below would be cooked before they could reach
the deck.

Captain Rous also condemned the system of giving the
command of our fleets to old men, who, from being ashore
for 10 or 20 years previously, had lost two thirds of all the
nautical skill they had ever acquired. He also condemned
the constant violation of the rules of the Admiralty by the
captains of vessels proceeding to the Mediterranean, taking
with them their wives, families, carriages, horses, &c. The
ships in that service being generally in port, enabled the offi-
cers to reside ashore so continuously, that they became ut-
terly unfit for service. For his own part, he would rather
take any gentleman brought up in St. James's-street for an
officer in a ship of his, than he would take an officer brought
up in such service as that of the Mediterranean.
A discussion was raised as to the propriety of reviving the
office of deputy accountant-general of the Admiralty, Mr.
Labouchere, Mr. Baring, and other hon. members objecting
to such revival, the necessity for which was, however, advo-
cated by Mr. Sydney Herbert and Sir James Graham, who
read a letter from the accountant-general proving the neces-
sity of the revival of the office owing to the great increase of
of business in that department.
Mr. C. Woon proposed a reduction of the vote in order to
take the opinion of the house upon the propriety of the re-
vival of the office, but on a division Mr. Wood's amendment
was negatived by a majority of 124 to 45.
The house was occupied with the discussion of the esti-
mates during the remainder of the evening.

THE AFFGHAN WAR.

The following scene was enacted in the House of Corn.
mons on Wednesday last, during the debate on Mr. Roe•
buck's motion for an inquiry into the circumstances attend.
ing the origin of the Affghan war.

Sir R. PEEL did not think there was any necessary con-
nexion between the question whether the war was justifiable,
and the question whether the house ought to appoint a com-
mittee of inquiry. He desired, therefore, not to be under-
stood not as approving the policy of that war because he did
propose to concur in the motion for the committee. Even
if he coincided in the opinion that there was reason to ap-
prehend danger from Russia, he considered subsequent
events to have confirmed the suspicion he had originally ex-
pressed, that the expedition into Affghanistan would not be
found justifiable. But he could not agree to lend the influ.
ence of Government to the appointment of the proposed
committee. It had not been the usage of this country that
a party acceeding to office should employ its powers to en.
force vindictive measures against its predecessors. If he
were disposed to yield to party feeling, he might agree to this
motion as a retaliation upon the now threatened attack on
Lord Ellenborough ; but he would act on no such sentiment.
He would rather act upon the consideration' of that which
was befitting the Government and beneficial to the people.
I must say (continued Sir R. Peel) that some of those who
are to-night the loudest in reprobating the principle of the
war were at that time the loudest in expressing approbation
of it. (Hear, hear.) I remember, Sir, that the chief oppo-
nent of my views upon one of those occasions was no less a
person than the seconder of .the motion now under conside-
ration. (Hear, hear.) When I made a reserve as to the
general policy of the war, and objected especially to the grant
of money, the hon. member for Montrose approved of the po-
licy, and also assented to the appropriation of the money.
(Loud laughter.)
Mr. HUME.—No, I did not ; the policy was not the ques-
tion.—(Renewed laughter.)

Sir li.. PEEL here very deliberately turned round, and,
amid much merriment, produced a volume• of parliamentary
debates, previously brought to him from the library by Mr.
E. Tennent. Having found the passage he sought for, he
continued :—lt I were trusting to my general impression, I
might doubt the correctness of my recollection; but I must
bring the hon. member to book—(shouts of laughter)—as he
gives me so emphatic a denial.
Mr. HuNlE.—But I don't deny it.—(Renewed laughter.)
Sir R. PEEL.—(shutting the book)—Oh ! Very
,well;
then— _ _ _

Mr. IltmE.—Oh ! read, read.
Sir R. PEEL.—(re-opening the book.)--nCertainly, I'll
read.—(Shouts of laughter.) [Addressing Mr. Hume] :
This is all stated, you know, in a good-humoured way.
[Turning over the pages] :—I don't know where to find the
sentences, I'm sure ; but I suppose I shall find them some-
where in the climax.—Roars of laughter.) We usually find
the strongest points in that part of the speech.—(More
laughter.) Oh ! here it is : "lam of opinion that the result
of the expedition will go far to strengthen the British power
in India."

Mr. HUME.—Very good, very good.—(Great merriment.)
Sir R. PEEL.-Eh! what did you say ?
Mr. HuME.—Oh! read on, read on.
Sir R. PEEL.—Very well!—" Having seen the lamentable
results of inefficient arrangements, I think the greatest
credit is due to the British authorities." (Great laughter.)
Oh, but he goes further than that : here's another passage,—
" I think the conduct of Lord Auckland is marked by the
greatest wisdom." (Roars of laughter.) Then here's ano-
ther,—now, what will the hon. gentleman say to this?—" I
believe that it is an expedition more likely to be beneficial to
India than any which has previously taken place." (Re-
newed laughter.) So. I have struck the hon. gentleman
above and below, and I hope he's satisfied (more laughter);
but really I only quote this to justify myself in saying that
I, who from the first expressed my distrust of the policy of
the expedition, have been met in argument by others whom,
to my astonishment, I now find opposed to me. (Loud
,peers.) Sir, I know that nothing is more easy than to
argue that the House of Commons is the great inquest of the

nation—that it is its duty and—its function to institute
quiries; and that it is highly desirable it should exercise
duty. But where, let me ask, is the limit to such a princi-
ple? (Hear, hear.) I will tell you what this will end in,—
it will end in transferring the executive government of the
crown to the House of Commons. (Loud cheers.) After a
few other observations, the right hon. baronet resumed his
seat amid loud and general cheering. He had scarcely sat
clown before Mr. Hutne rose from his place on the opposition
benches, and, stalking across the floor of the house, seized
the volume of " Parliamentary Debates" which lay on the
right hon. baronet's despatch-box, exclaiming, as he marched
off with the prize, " Now, then, let me have my turn at the
hook." The incident caused much amusement, and the
honourable member for Montrose proceeded to dive into the
columns of " Hansard," amid the general laughter and
ironical cheering of the house.

THEATRE ROYAL, WILLIAMSON-SQUARE

MRS. CLARKE

most respectfully announces that her BENEFIT is appointed

to take place
ON MONDAY NEXT; the 13th instant,
on which occasion the celebrated Performers,
Mr. W. FARREN,

Mrs. GLOVER,

of the Theatres-Royal, Drury-lane,!Vovent-garden, and
Haytnarket, will make theiriippearance.

First Night of the New Drama of
GRANDFATHER
_WHITEHEAD,

the most popular production of the last season at the Theatre-
Royal, Hay market, in which

Mr. W. PARREN
will sustain his original character of " Grandfather White-
head," and

Mr. STUART

his original character of " Langley."

Mrs. TEkNAN

(late Miss Jarman,) of the Theatre-Royal, Covent-garden
Mr. BROWNE,

of the Theatre-Royal, Drury-lane, and of the American
Theatres, will also appear in principal characters, and
Miss FANNY TERNAN,

the Juvenile Actress, only seven years of age, will appear,
for the first time, as " Edward Drayton," in the Drama of
GRANDFATHER WHITEHEAD," and will also perform in the
Farce of THE YOUNG ACTRESS.

g-IN MONDAY next, the 13th instant, will be revived the
V favourite Comedy, called

A WAY TO KEEP 'HIM.
Sir Bashful Constant .... Mr. W. Farren,

the second chafacier performed by him at the 'Theatre-

Royal, Covent-garden.
Lovemore (first time).... Mr. Stuart.
Sir Brilliant Fashion Mr. Browne.
The Widow Belmour Mrs. Glover.
Mrs. Lovemore (first time) Mrs. Ternan.
Muslin Mrs. Clarke.
After which, the highly successful Drama, as performed
Seventy Nights in succession last season at the Theatre-
Royal, Haymarket, called
GRANDFATHER WHITEHEAD.
Grandfather Whitehead Mr. W. Farren.
Edward Drayton.... (his Grandson) Miss Fanny Ternan.
Langley Mr. Stuart.
Louisa
To be followed by a Drama, in one Act, adapted from the
" Actress of all work," expressly for Miss Fanny Ternan,
called

THE YOUNG ACTRESS;
OR, THE MANAGER PERPLEXED.
In which Miss Fanny Ternan will sustain Six Characters

Tickets to be had of Mrs. CLARKE, 1, Houghton-street,
Williamson-square, and of Mr. CooKE, at the Box-office of
the Theatre, of whom places may be taken from Ten until
Three o'clock : no Places can be secured unless Tickets are
taken,

Doors to be opened at Half-past Six, and the Perform-
ances to commence at Seven o'clock precisely.
Lower Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. Gd. ; Pit, 2s. 6d. ;
Gallery, Is.

SecOnd Price at Nine o'clock :—Lower Boxes, 2s. 6,1. ;
Upper Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. 6d. ; Gallery, 6d.

111111=10.9N1119a.

TO MERCHANTS, BROKERS, &c

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