Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-03-28
DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY IN THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

| The Palmerston Ministry have been defeated in
the House of Commons on the Chinese qu@tbn
in other words, the Opposition have won triumph
in obtaining majority of sixteen for the motion
| submitted by Mr.. CoBDEN
"That this House has heard with concern Of thr
cts which have occurred between the British ant Chi
authorities in the Canton river and without express
ing opinion to the extent which the Government
of China may have afforded this country Of COM
plant respecting the nopfument of the treaty OF 1912
this House is of opinion that the papers laid th table
fail to establish satisfactory grounds for the yoen mea-
sures resorted to at Canton in the late affair of tie Ar
row, and that select committee be appointed to iquire
into the state of commercial relations with Gina
The debate lasted several days. and was participated
in by all the most distinguished members. The voc was
taken the evening of the third but just befoe the
division the Premier charged upon his foes witheeot
in speech distinguished for compactness of faf its
biting irony, and cearness of logic Mr.. Cobds was
reminded that Sir John Bowrng the British Conul at
Canton, whose conduct it proposed to condemnw as
like himself, member of the "Peace Society p that
far forbearance concerned the British Twas
well known, had been infinitely more patient thai the
Americans, who, instead of demanding explanations
all when they believed their flag was nsuled attsked
the natives first and demanded explanations Afterwards
Christianity had been invoked in support of the mion
ten, when made in defence of falsehoods, n,1ls and
atrooous crimes. As for the future ppeeee 2oE the
Government in the matter, that he SAIL would depend
very much upon circumstances. AZ
.Ther first care would be to protect British residents
and British interests [cheers and their care to
end these disputes He repudiated altogether the no.
ton that they wished to obtain territories in China
but would be for the interest of The Chinese themselves
to extend commercial relations with them, and the
inf fo and in
the American and French authorities, mission to
deayor to put European relations on better footing
The attitude assumed by the Opposition the ques-
ton severely commented upon
1t had been observed that the members of the Peace
Society eminently distinguished for pugnacity and
he had doubt that il they had been in Sir j. Bow
rings place, they would have got in the difficulty
long before. ICheers. He never remembered speech
more antiEnglish than that of the honorable member
for the West Riding in spirit and in word Every thing
that was English wrong every thing that was hos
tile to England was right He spoke of the high class
OF British merchants the most ayaricous Unsuitable
and grasping of The guardians of British inte-
rests called yrannical DULLES to the weak and
towards to the strong But the honorable gentleman
had found the fault with the most just and rghte
Gus war in which the country engaged
[Cheers. The honorable gentleman said, would you
have used the United States In the same way?' Was
that the opinion of member of the Peace Society Did
he taunt them with not having engaged in with
with them in amicable manner? So much for mem
Der of the Peace Society [Cheers The honorable gen
tleman said how different the at Charleston
with respect to the seizure of coored from
sells during their stay in port according the law passed
by South Carolina. The honorable gentleman said there
gross insult to the sensbilities of the British
ton but what did the Consul do He wrote to the
bassador at Washington to whom was given why
the United States had power to interfere in the
II there had been Minister at Pekin the
would have been adopted and if had been possible
address him. probably the same result would have
taken place. and this local difficulty would have been
surmounted." [Cheers.]
His Lordships peroraton literally torrent of in
fective If it proposed put an end to the opera
lions of the army and navy in the Chinese waters
He would tell the House that the consequence would
be that would be insecure as Gf pirates
lSs fd Canton that British life or property would
dare thst the English we're afIaia5. ssgat
DO what he liked for the future, even NJ it pleased Ina
orn his palisades with English heads rather hanhose
Chinese
For his part he did not believe that the British ation
was conserving party to the "eowardly arrnge-
ment" -
g But that it from occasional event, FINN
coalition of parties who anxious to supplan the
Government. Those parties had entered into secret
treaty. not guarantying their present position-that
would be elast thing they would attempt to perpetuae-
which they were most anxious to possess themselves
They dared not proceed openly by IN address to the
Crown of want of confidence in the Government because
they knew the people party to their proceedings
but they sought to attain their object by supporting
vague and unmeaning resolution"
His Lordshp then appealed to the House to consider
what the consequences of its decision would be to the
important British interests abroad and called upon all
Independent members to support the honor and dignity
of their country irrespective of party motives and the
interests of coalition.
Mr.. Golden and Mr.. dIsRAELI had FEW "last words"
the former expressing the belief that tbs fall of the pre-
sent Ministry, at any rate, would lead to
nomcal one, and the latter saying apartng compl
ment to the Premier
ssThe noble lord had been long accustomed to obtain
large majority without declaring his principles, but he
had found that the time at last when he must
have policy, and he therefore called Out to the country
that he the victim of conspiracy Let him appeal
to the country. [Cheers. He MR. eIsraeli) hoped
his constituents would return him. but they did not
he should fear meet the noble lord IN the hastings
at Tiverton. Laughter He should ike to the
programme of the leader of great liberal party: mo
reform, more taxes, war with Persia, and Canton in
flames Cheers. He trusted that the House would
not be deferred by the menace of Miniter but would
do its duty regardless of the consequences and support
what it felt the honor and credit of the country
The House then divided, and the numbers we're
For the motion. ............................. 263
Against u.. 247
Majority against the Government ..... 16
The announcement of the numbers was received with
the enthusiastic cheering from the Opposition
benches. There was loud call for Lord PALmERsroK,
but his lordship declined.
1t is doubtful whether the Premier will resign in a
hurry to oblge the Opposition, though his resignation