POSTSCRIPT.
" " SATHRDAY.
. Questions were put by the leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of ' Parliament last night on the. subjeet of our relations with the United states.
In the House of Lords, the Earl of DEnnx inquired whether the Government had received official information to the effect that the Government of the United States intend to suspend all diplomatic inter- course with this country, by dismissing Mr. Crampton, and withdrawing their exequaturs from three' Consuls ? whether such information would be laid before Parliament without delay ? and what course the Govern- ment
inept intend to pnrsue ?
In answer to these inquiries, the Earl of CLARENDON spoke to this effect— "My Lords, in reply to the question_ of the noble Earl, I have to.say, that upon the day before .yesterday, Mr. Dallas, the, American Minister at this Court, communicated to me a despatch from his Government, in which it, was stated that-the assurances given by her Majesty's Government were satisfactory with respect to the fact of no instructions having been sent, and of no intention having existed on the part of this Government in any way to violate or infringe the laws of the United States. But the answer given to Mr. Dallas was not equally satisfactory with regard to Mr. Oramptan -and our -Consuls; for it appeared that they were still to be considered as representatives unacceptable to the Government of the United States.- The President had therefore determined to send Mr. Cramp- ton his passports, and to withdraw their exequatur from the three Consuls. The despatch was-,read to me by ,Mr. Dallas, and a copy of it has been fur- nished to me - but hat Majesty's Government have not vet finally deter- mined upon.the course .which they will recommend her Majesty to pursue. As soon as they have done so, it will betheir duty to communicate that de-_ termination to Parliament, ,.and to lay before it a copy of the despatch. I gulf it right also toMenhon, that Mr. Dallas at the same time, in comniu- nicating,to .me another despatch with respect to the questions relating to Cen-
aiiniundeUto Inc that Mr. Marty stated that there were ess•-
e-pointa upon whitztat was possible that the arbitration of a third Power- Might be usefully resorted to, but that at the same time his opinion was that: thewholequestion might be settled by-direct negotiation." In the Heise of CoMmons, Mr. DISRAELI put similar questions to Lord PALmsatsrois-; whose reply corresponded with that of Lord Claren- den. The Government must give the .subject "full consideration" be- fore they say anything further. Mr. BAILLIE then asked, when he could -king on his motion ? If Lord Palmerston would fix a day, Mi. Baillie would not interfere with the discussion of the Army Estimates on Monday.; Lord PautinurroN gave Mr. Willie the choice of a day. Mr. 14,114.18 DaMed Thillsday neat. In reply to Mr. Disitain.r's inquiry whether Lord Palmerston would produce the despatches before the debate, Lord PALMERSTON said, "That will depend on the manner in which the Government 'may reply to the despatches." After some questions had been asked on trivial subjects, Lord JOHN RUSSELL made a statement of the course he should pursue- " I do not wish at all to find fault with my noble friend for not giving farther information to the House ; but I think this is a most critical state of affairs, and that the House-ought to have some information with respect to it. I do not now propose to ask my noble friend any question, as he has stated that the Government have not decided upon the course they will take ; but I shall think it my duty on Monday, before the House enters upon the consideration of the Army Estimates, to ask my noble friend for some ex- planation of the course which the Government propose to adopt. It is not perhaps desirable that this Rouse should require any discussion to take place upon the subjects. Although it would be somewhat of a sur- render of the privileges of the House, I can conceive that circumstances may be such that all discussion cession and explanation ought to be avoided ; but I cannot but perceive, that while the House is silent upon these subjects they have been taken up by the newspapers, and that articles have appeared in some of those newspapers rather calculated to give the Americans an impres- sion highly unfavourable to the continuance of peace between the two countries. Now, I am so persuaded that this House and the whole nation earnestly desire the continuance of peace--(Cheers)—that I think it is most desirable Abet my noble friend should take an early. opportunity of stating the views of the Government. I shall therefore on Monday next, before the House gees into Committee of Supply, ask my noble friend what course the Government Intend to pursue with regard to Mr. Dallas, the American Minister at this Court ; and whether the negotiations proposed by the American Government will be entered into by her Majesty's Government ? "
The other business of the House of Commons was the consideration of several votes in Committee of Supply. Lord Patmsaaroa moved two votes,-45001. for making a road from the iron gates near the German Chapel to the Mall in St. James's Park ; and 3500/. for a foot-bridge across the ornamental water. He explained, that when the House rejected the vote last week, the Queen, always anxious to make any sacrifice conducive to the public convenience, gra- ciously suggested that a straight road might be made between Marl- borough House and St. James's Park by cutting off a portion of the Palace Garden. The estimate for this-45001.—he confessed seemed rather large ; but the vigilant superintendence of the First Commis- sioner of Works would keep the cost within the smallest compass. Hav- ing made provision for those who ride in carriages, they must not forget those who " walk on their feet—for we have heard of people who walk on their heads ": he thought a light suspension-bridge over the ornamental water would be far from unsightly. Some complaints were made as to the largeness of the first vote ; but it was agreed to without a division. On the second vote, the Committee divided ; and the vote was carried by 182 to 95.
Sir CHARLES WOOD moved the supplemental Navy Estimates. The House had already voted 76,000 men; it was proposed to diminish the number by 20,000 ; but practically, since. only 70,000 were raised, the real reduction would be 14,000. The force of Royal Marines-16,000- will not be reduced. He thought that, with the experience they had de- rived from the war, they would not be consulting the true interests of the country if they did not in future maintain, and that permanently, a larger number of men than it had been the practice to maintain in recent years. The reduction in the vote for naval stores is half a million. There is a new vote of 40,000!. for the purchase of land necessary for the extension of Deptford Dockyard. The original estimate for the Trans- port service was 7,000,0001.; of which sum, 6,000,0001. was voted on account : he proposed to rescind that vote, and substitute a vote for 4,977,2001. The intimation that it is intended to keep up a larger naval force was well received. Mr. WILLIAMS would like to see the atmosphere a little clearer before he urged reductions; Admiral WaLeorr rejoiced" ; Mr. LINDSAY was " glad" ; Sir GEORGE TYLER thought it must be satis- factory to Sir Charles Wood to find the House so "unanimous" ; Sir CHARLES Nam= joined in the chorus. Sir James Guanaii, concurring, made a speech full of suggestions; the chief of which was that the Coast Guard should be transferred from the IlevenVe Department to the Ad- miralty, for the purpose of rendering it "really efficient as a great arm of defence attached to the British Navy." Sir FRANCIS BARING said, he looked upon the Coast Guard as one of our most valuable naval resources, and he should be glad to support any legislation necessary to carry out the plan of Sir James Graham.
The votes were agreed to.
On the motion of the CHANcei.ion of the EXCHEQUER, the House agreed to a vote of credit of 2,000,0001. The vote, he explained, was taken simply from abundance of caution, to meet any unexpected ex- penditure that might, but which he trusted would not, arise. On the order of the day for going into Committee on the Parochial Schools (Scotland) Bill, Mr. CUMMING BRUCE moved that the. House should go into Committee that day six months. The amendment was seconded by Mr. LOCKHART. The original motion was supported by Sir 'JAMES FERGUSON and Mr. MACKIE. On a division, the amendment was negatived by 126 to 90. The House went into Committee ; but it was very late, and the Chairman reported progress, obtaining leave to sit again on Thursday morning. In the- course of conversation, Lord PALMERSTON stated that the morning sittings will begin on Tuesday next.
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