The Sun. — 1858-03-17 (London, England)

HODGE. An English subject had been arrested. at Genoa on the demand of the French Government, who claimed him under an extradition treaty as amenable to a charge of murder. Fortunately, however, tzieLe was a clause in that ttc...4(y winch prevented the surrender of a foreigner without the assent of his own Government. If a fair prima facie case could be established, if it were clearly and distinctly proved that our fellow-subject was guilty of the atrocious crime laid to his charge—we venture to say that there would be no desire or wish to shelter him from the consequences of his offence. But the Government very properly determined to investigate the accusation, and to ascertain whether it had real and tangible foundation. Having done so, it was perceived that the evidence was not sufficient to induce an English magistrate to send the case for trial, and the demand was politely, but steadily refused. Nor was this all. Instructions were forwarded t ) the British Minister at Turin, to. I place himself in communication with Mr. HODGE, and do all that cauld be done for his security and comfort. It is greatly to the honour of Sir JAMES HUDSON to say that he had anticipated these instructions—that he lied taken care that every becoming comfort was at the command of Mr. HODGE, and had demanded that his imprisonment should cease as soon as the forms of law would permit. Th's is as it should be. This is, indeed, the course which should be pursued in reference to every English subject who can justly shelter himself under the protection of the Btitish Flag. Tiiat glorious and all-powerful cegis should be extended over every person who could properly claim its salutary influence, and proudly insist on the rights and privileges of a British citizen. It would have been well if a similar course had been adopted in reference to the English engineers who had been so long languishing in Neapolitan dungeons, and one of whom has become insane through the hardships and privations which he sustained during that fearful ordeal. In one respect we do not blame the late Government. They were not acquainted with the facts, and had erroneously supposed that WATT and his companion had been properly and legally brought under the jurisdiction of King Bomn,a's tribunals. But surely that very important point might and ought to have been discovered during the nine or ten months of their detention, and the vindication of the national honour, and the inalienable rights of Englishmen should not have been bequeathed as a perplexing legacy to the new Administration. They, however, do not shrink from the responsi, bility, and we may reasonably contemplate that the result will be in every respect satisfactory, and that ample compensation will be required for the wrongs under which they have groaned for so protracted a period. It was the foreign policy of Lord PALMERSTON that gained him the popularity which he enjoyed, and which placed him at the head of one of the most powerful majorities in the representative branch of the Legislature ever wielded by an comparison abr. i. sto,tn:pi present English minister. The sayings and doings Of the iss to ethno t Thethozsteadmoonifnistration can bear 'ring cornpatriott° insist outhraebirie pLerl. eLc ;Os No rs s in on justice for our ~perf;:itthataion, anparoceed at once to Naples on a to conon the Mediterralteau. 11::° Son of the Admiral vince even the moat obsta. station will be able perverse Bourbons. Thetlnate °I ti British ‘e l'irov"biall guns of the y be perceptible in the distance, 1 e"Will PA palpably c; boo . in the future." The paper pellets of the dipiZtu.gt will indicate the more formidable ones that woula attend the booming of the British cannon, should efficient peacemakers he assistance of these very