The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-12-26 00:00:00

SATURDAY, DEC. 23.

The House sat at a quarter to nine o'clock for the
purpose of considering the Enlistment of Foreigners Bill,
as amended by the House of Commons.—The lords present
were the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, and the Bishop
of St. Asaph.—The LORD CHANCELLOR having reported
to the House that the Enlistment of Foreigners Bill had
been brought up from the House of Commons, Earl
GRANVILLE moved that the Commons' amendments
should be agreed to, and the motion being put in the

Their lordships then adjourned during pleasure.
The House reasembled at two o'clock, when the only
peers present were those acting as her Majesty's Commis-
sioners—the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Argyll, and

Lord Canning.

ROYAL ASSENT.—The royal assent was given by com-
ission to the Militia Bill and the Enlistment of

Foreigners Bill.
The House adjourned until Tuesday, January 23.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

TUESDAY, DEC. 19.

Mr. W. Bizowx presented a petition from the Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce, stating that they addressed a
letter on the 11th of November, 1852, to the President of
the Board of Trade in favour of a decimal currency, recom-
mending the pound for the unit, and praying for its imme-
diate adoption.
COAL MINBS.—In answer to a question, Mr. FrTznoY
said that a bill for the prevention of accidents in coal
mines was in preparation, and would be introduced soon
after the Christmas holidays.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.—Mr. EwART obtained leave to
bring in a bill to amend and extend an act for enabling
town councils to establish libraries and museums freely

open to the public

Mr. V. SULLY obtained leave to bring in a bill to
amend the Spirits (Ireland) Act of last session.
CHURCH PROPERTY,—The Marquis of BLANDFORD
obtained leave to bring in a bill to make better provision
for the management of episcopal and capitular estates.
THE MILITIA BILL was read a third time and passed,
after a determined negative from Colonel SIBTHORP.
FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BILL.

Lord J. RUSSELL, in moving the second reading, de-
fended the bill on precedents during the reigns of Queens
Elizabeth and Anne, King William the Third, and during
the rule of Cromwell, by Marlborough and Wellington,
and whenever, in fact, England had been engaged in a
continental war. If we attempt to supply reinforcements
solely from native sources, the risk must be incurred in
sending out recruits imperfectly trained; and he referred
to the precepts and example of the Duke of Wellington in
support of the conclusion that there was no national
degradation attending the employment of foreigners
under such contingencies. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Sir E. B. LYTTON moved that the bill be read that day
six months. He denounced it as a " crawling propo-
sition," chilling the national spirit by the introduction of
mercenary troops ; including the refugee members of dis-
tressed nationalities, who, having been trained in war
and collected into a focus, would be only disbanded for
revolution. Recruits were pouring in faster than they
could be enrolled, and supplies of men could be obtained
in the home market—the cheapest and the best. The
very introduction of the bill argued laches in the Govern-
ment, who had received abundant warnings of the magni-
tude of the war, and might have long since developed the
military resources of the country sufficiently to dispense
with the beggarly aid contributed by a few thousand mis-
cellaneous hirelings.

A lengthened discussion ensued, in the course of which
Lord STANLEY observed, that from this measure not being
alluded to in the royal speech, it looked as if it was in-
tended to smuggle it through parliament before the country
had time to examine it. He complained of the mystery
which enveloped the measure—no information being given
of to the sources whence those foresgn soldiers were to be
obtained. What, he asked, should we think of the Em-
peror of Russia if he were advertising for soldiers in every
European market. He contended that no case of emergency
had been shown that would override the evils attending
such a measure as this, to which he objected as unnecessary,
unpatriotic. and retrogressive.
Lord PALMERSTON defended the bill, and said he was
surprised at the course pursued by the party opposite in
regard to this question. They admitted the importance of
the object of the war, its justice and necessity, and the
Government had been reproached by the organs of the
party with not carrying on the war _ with energy and

vigour ; and when they now ask to be allowed to em-
ploy an instrument which they believe would be con-
ducive to the prosecution of the war with success, they
et with disquisitions upon the constitution and the
,ntiquated arguments against a practice
clouted by this and by almost every other

Governme
Mr. Ms
a further

plied to Lord Palmerston ; and, after
n, the house divided, and the second
1 by a majority of 243 to 204, being a

majority (
The bill

A time, and the house ad-

fore 2 o'clock

a petition from Nelson, New
lelay of the meeting of their

BA-NKS

The CHANCELLOR of the Ex-
t the House should go into
the following resolution, which
That it is expedient to create
Lidated fund of the united king-
id Ireland in respect of the sums
and friendly societies, and to
of interest thereon to the Com-
he National Debt, at 3 per cent. per annum,
) make provision cut of the said consolidated
r Exchequer bonds, for any
lereafter exist between the
ssioners for the Reduction

flds of the Con

e Nation,

In respect of savings banks and
liabilities thereon; and also for

iNDARD A

Lb, adiox

), who has

HURSDAY, DEC

'NGER SR

ie Stev

IL said that a correspondence had taken idal
Tnment of Washington, principally for tl

government to king in a bill in the course
incipally founded on the recommendations
Committee, over which the honourable
nan himself presided.
FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BILL.
debate upon the motion for going into
zu Enlistment Bill was resumed
eintained that the bill was inde-
ind that the strongest arguments
Ist it might be fOund in the speeches of its defenders
in the miserable fallacies of Lord John Russell.

Ine _
committee on the For(

fensible in principle

A. debate ensued, in the course of which

Mr. DISRAELI, on behalf of his party, said they had no
wish to throw any unfair obstacle in the way of the bill.
He bad come down to the house prepared to go into com-
mittee that evening, and to take the third reading the

Lord J. RUSSELL admitted that the government had no
reason to complain of the opponents of the bill, and sug-
gested that it would be better for all parties and for the
public interest that the house should go into committee.
After some remarks from Mr PACKE and Mr. BRIGIIT,

the Speaker left the chair, when the clauses were discussed
and agreed to without amendment, certain proposed verbal
amendments being deferred until the third reading.
COMMON LAW PROCEDURE (IRELAND.)—Mr. I. BUTT
obtained leave to bring in a bill to extend to Ireland the
provisions contained in the 18th section of the Common
Law Procedure Act of 1854.

The house adjourned at twenty minutes after 8 o'clock

FRIDAY, DEC. 22.
The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock

A PViITION was presented by Mr. Cheetham, from the
brewers and beersellers of the borough of Rochdale, for
the abolition of the present system of licensing public-
houses.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer brought up the Savings
Bank Bill, which was read a first time.

THE TEA DUTY.—TheCHINcELLoR of the EXCHEQUER
—I take this opportunity of givine, a notice which is of a
somewhat unusual character probably, but which I trust
the house will consider justifiable under the circumstances
of the case. It is a notice to the effect that, without
giving any other intimation whatever, or holding out any
presumption as to any other financial measure of any other
kind, it is the intention of the Government, in the event
of the continuance of the war, when the time shall arrive
for making the financial statement for 1855, that the duty
on tea, instead of progressively falling until it shall reac h
is. per pound, shall continue at the rate at which it now
stands, of ls. 6d. It is on account of the enactment of the

house being of such a long date, and that diminution of
duty having been so long looked forward to, that the
Government have thought it right to give this early notice
of their intention to make this alteration in the law.

THE MILITARY UNIFORM.-111 reply to Mr. Ewart, Mr.
S. HERBERT said that in the new patterns for the coats
of the officers and privates the present distinction of
epaulettes was done away with. _ _

MINIE RIFLES.—In answer to a question, Mr. S.
HERBERT said it was the intention of the government to
arm the whole of the army with the Minie rifle, and they
were being issued as fast as the manufacturers could sup-
ply them._ _ _ _

- Sir J. PARINGTON gave notice that early after
Christmas he should move for leave to bring in a bill for
the better encouragement of education in England and
Wales.

Sir J. GRAEfAM, in answer to Mr. Disraeli, said that he
had no reason to believe that the Russians had block-
aded Memel.
FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BILL.

On the motion for the third reading of the Foreign En-
listment Bill,
Sir E. DESING moved that it be read the third time
that day six months.
Mr. COBDEN seconded the amendment, and entering
upon the general question, argued that if we were to carry
on the war of invasion against Russia by land, it must be
carried on in a different manners and upon a different
scale. The capture of Sebastopol would not destroy
Russian power. Peace alone would salve the difficulties
which have led to this great contest. He, therefore,
recommended that we should accept peace upon the
terms laid down in what were called the four points.
Moderation would effect all the objects for which we were
fighting.
A lengthened discussion ensued, in. the course of which,

Lord J. RUSSELL said, if we had had a large peace
establishment, it would have been unnecessary to resort to
the employment of foreigners ; but such was not the case,
and hence the necessity for the present measure. He
defended the conduct of the government as regarded the
threat of resignation, by insisting that it was perfectly
legitimate for Ministers to say, " We require these powers
to carry on the war, and if you will not grant them we
decline the responsibility, of going on, and you had better
allow the war to be conducted by those in whom you
have more confidence." They were told by those who
said they ought not to employ mercenaries that they
ought to raise the bounty, which was of course
an appeal to the mercenary feelings of the people.
In reply to the arguments of Mr. Cobden, he said the real
object of the war was to check the spirit of aggrandise-
ment of Russia, which betrayed itself in a most unjust and
unjustifiable aggression of that power upon Turkey. This
would give to Russia a preponderance which would be
dangerous to every country in Europe, and it was there-
fore a wise policy to meet it in the outset before it had
become too strong to leave a chance of coping with it with
any hope of success. He concluded by sayings —" Having
stated the other day, at the end of the first discussion,
what were the general provisions of the treaty with Austria,
I think the house will agree that I did not deceive them,
nor overstate those provisions. If so, I cannot be justly
chargeable with misleading the House, or attempting to
give an exaggera' ed notion of the provisions of the treaty.
Having stated so much, I will repeat my belief that,
although not contained in the literal terms of the treaty,
that as Austria will find we do not propose to diminish
the territories of Russia—as we propose to leave her a
great and powerful state, and only seek securities as ne-
cessary for Austria as they are for England and France,
in order to obtain a durable peace—that unless Russia
shall accept such fair and moderate terms which it will be
our duty to propose whenever the minister of the Emperor
of Russia shall declare that he is directed to enter into
negociations—l feel convinced, I say, that if these terms
are not accepted by the Emperor of Russia, if he is of
opinion that that great scheme began in the reign of the
Empress Catherine, if not before, must be persevered in,
we shall have before the opening of the next campaign the
alliance of Austria in an offensive and defensive treaty
(hear, hear, and cheers). I state to you that although
Austria is not literally bound by such a course, I think
she is morally bound by the stipulations she has entered
into. I have always stated that we might be obliged to
have a large and protracted war unless Austria was a
party in that war ; but my belief is that if Austria joins
us, and before long we have the accession of Prussia, we
shall be in a position to say that the war will not be pro-
tracted, but will be ended by a durable, a satisfactory, and
an honourable peace."

Sir J. P.iIEI;GTON expressed his belief that one cause
of the war was to be found in the dispatches of the noble
lord to the court of Russia, which led the Emperor to
form a wrong estimate of the temper and feeling of the
people of this country. Had the Government last July
embodied the militia, and thus established an available
reserve, there could not have arisen the necessity for this
most objectionable bill. He alluded to the desertion of
the Conservatives by the Peelite party, and said he was
not surprised that a bill like the present should emanate
from such a source, for they might well be called the
political free lances of England..

Mr. BRIGHT said it would be a most difficult under-
taking to keep Turkey in her present position in Europe.
The Turkish character was becoming known, and on the
Stock Exchange she was obliged to pay more for a loan
than Russia could obtain it for, were it legal to advance
it. The English Government had systematically prevented
the efforts of Austria and France to settle matters with-
out having recourse to war, and with it, therefore, rested
the responsibility of the war.
Upon a division the motion for the third reading was
carried by 175 to 137; majority 38.
The bill was then read a third time.

Some amended clauses were added, after which the bill
passed, and the house adjourned at a quarter to two

O'clocli,

SATURDAY, DEC. 23.

The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock,

ENLISTMENT OP FOREIGNERS BILL.—A message was
brought from the Lords, announcing that their lordships
had agreed to the amendments of the Commons to this
bill without any amendment.
A NEW WRIT was ordered for Sunderland, in the room
of Mr. W. D. Seymour, who had accepted the office of
Recorder of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

MARRIAGES EXTENsfoN.--Mr. HEYWOOD gave notice
that on Thursday, the Ist of February, he would move for
leave to bring in a bill to extend and alter an act passed
in the sth arid 6th years of the reign of Wm. IV., so far as
relates to marriages within certain of the degrees of affi-
nity not prohibited in Scripture.

After lieming the royal assent given to certain bills in
the House of Lords, the House adjourned at half-past two
o'clock until the 23rd of January.

THE MARquls OF NORMANEY, K.G., has been appointed
Her Majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo-
tentiary to the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Vv
SCOTCH LAW APPOINTMENTS.—Mr.Craufurd, solicitor-
general, takes the vacant seat on the bench, and Mr.
Thomas Mackenzie, sheriff of Ross-shire, is the new solici-
tor-general.— Scotsman.
THE CANADA WORKS, BIRKENHEAD.—These exten-
sive works are now in full operation, and the thirty-
seventh locomotive has just been laid down. About 500
_ _ _

men are employed in the engine department,, and 400 in
the bridge department, making a total of 900 skilled arti-
zans employed at these important works. The proprietors
gave a large donation to form a library for the men, on
the 20th October last, and in future this day is to be
observed as an annual festival. The library already nit-
hers about 600 volumes, and there is also a reading-room
in connexion with the works, which is supported by 400
subscribers, at a penny a week.