POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
In the House of Peers last night, Lord RemsnALE raised an interesting discussion by calling the attention of their Lordships to the circumstances attending the resignation of the Bishop of Norwich. His object was to obtain from the Lord Chancellor a statement of the law with regard to the resignation of bishops, and an assurance that the Government intended to regulate the retirement of bishops, and make provision for those who retire, by some law. It had given him the greatest satisfaction, that although the late Bishop of Norwich retired in a somewhat summary manner, there had been no arrangement, and apparently no intention of making an arrangement, for a retiring allowance in his case. If any such arrangement were made by. a retrospective enactment, it would take away the sole virtue of the resignation. The Loan CHANCELLOR cited a number of precedents to show that a .bishop could resign. In the cam of a bishop the Metropolitan in the case of the Metropolitan the Crown, must accept the resignation before it can take effect. The late Bishop of Norwich had resigned without the slightest stipulation or the least hope that anything would be done. He said that as his health did not enable him to discharge the duties of his office in a satisfactory manner, whatever were the consequences he must resign. As to the general measure, that did not press, as Dr. Hinds made no stipulation for a provision. The difficulty is to find funds; but the Government hope to be able to see their way to the solution of it. He invited suggestions. Forthwith arose a general discussion. The Earl of DERBY and Lord DUNGANNON reminded the Lord Chancellor, that the Lord Privy Seal had stated last year that a general measure was in preparation. Lord CAMPBELL pressed for a general measure. The Duke of NEWCASTLE regretted that the Government did not think the question a pressing one. The case of the late Bishop of Norwich was exactly one that would have been met by a general measure, and the Government had failed in its duty in not bringing such a measure forward. He saw no difficulty in arranging a scheme providing retiring allowances out of the funds of the bishoprics. He should not regret any arrangement that would tend to lessen the political character of episcopal appointments. He would rejoice in anything that would compel the Ministers of the Crown to look out for the bestqualified men only to fill the episcopal sees of this kingdom. His great object in rising, however, was to protest against the opinion that this question did not press, and to state his belief that it pres now more urgently thus ever.
The Earl of HARROWS!' promised a measure f next session and in that measure Dr. Hinds, of all men, ought not be overlooked. The Bishop of OXFORD deprecated undue haste. Lo PORTMAN hoped that provision would also be made for the hard-working ergymen compelled by age or infirmity toretire.
In the House of Commons, there was a somewhat' usual proceeding. General TrionissoN presented a petition from John Ne Parliamentary agent for the petitioners against the return for Roch e, stating that Abraham Bothwell, a material witness in regard to petition, had been offered, on Wednesday night, by one Peter Johns, 50/. to go to New Orleans that he might not give his evidence. The ouse ordered. the petitioner and his witness to attend forthwith. Newalland Bothwell thereupon appeared, and were successively. examined. Rollawell stated, that when Johnson offered him 601. he said that was too little, and that 100/. would be little enough. John Lord was present at the time themoney was offered, and heard what was said. The House ortered Peter. Johnson and John Lord to attend. Later in the evening, the Sergeant at Arms reported that John Lord was in attendance, but flat Peter Johnson was not. John Lord now appeared at the bar, and stded that he heard the offer made by Peter Johnson to Bothwell. Thiswitness having withdrawn, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the inquiry should be referred to a Select Committee.—Agreed to. A question then arose as to what steps should be taken to secure John Lord's atteniance on the Committee. The ATTORNEY-GMIERAL moved that he shoud be ordered to attend. Mr. CHEETIUM moved that he should be taken Into custody. • NM Sir GEORGE GREY, Mr. Frrznor, the ATTORNEY-GFEERAL, and others, reminded the souse that there was not sufficient ground for detaining him. The amendment having been withdrawn, Mr. Burr moved that Lord be again called. [There was an evident desire to detain him.] This motion was negatived by 97 to 42. Lord was directed to attend on ;Monday next; and a Committee was nominated forthwith. the e motion for going into Committee of Supply on the Civil Estimates, Lord CLAUDE HAMILTON, describing the bombardment of Greytown by Captain Hollins of the United States corvette Cyane, and the firing of the house of the British Vice-Consul, when his flag was flying, asked what measures had been taken to obtain compensation for British subjects whose property was destroyed in the bombardment?
Lord PALMERSTON stated that the bombardment of Greytown was authorized by the United States Government : it was a cruel act, that re
flected no credit either that on that Government or its officer. But the British Government had been advised at there was no ground for a demand for compensation; because it is a principle of international law that one government has a right to exercise acts of hostility against another, and persons who settle in a foreign country must abide the chances that may befall that country. The American Government had determined not t
pe o pe o
give compensation to any parties, not even to its own citizens. Grey town was indeed under the protectorship of Great Britain, but that protectorship was of the nature of protecting it against foreign aggression, and did not go to the extent of interfering in disputes between that and another state. Lord LOVAINE ad R5E•Bner improved the occasion, by urging the charge against Lord Tolnierston of being a bully to the weak, as in China, and a coward to -the strong, as in this case of Greytown. Mr. BENT-men commented on the want of determination to resist the insults of the American Government. The Arromene-GENERAL added his legal testimony in support of Lord Pdmerston. The Law-advisers of the Crown had unwillingly and reluctantly arrived at the opinion that a demand for satisfaction would. be incompatible with international law. In France they Were obliged to come to the same conclusion. Mr. DISRAELI severely criticized the conduct of the Government in the transaction; threw doubts on the interpretation put by the Attorney-General on international law; insisted that our protectorate made an immense difference between our position and that of France ; intimated that the American Government shared the feeling of disgust at the transaction; and said that the outrage could not go unredressed. Lord Ionia. RussELL defended the Government to some extent; but thought that explanations should have been demanded with reference to the insult offered to the British Vice-Consul. A motion was made on going into Committee, that led to much debate. Sir DENHAM Nemeses moved— "That it should be an instruction to the Committee of Supply, that if a Member raises a discussion on any item of the Estimates, by proposing that it be omitted or modified, the Chairman shall confine the discussion to that item until it shall have been disposed of by the House ; and that the question shall be put to the House on the item under discussion, separately and apart from the other items comprising the total amount to be voted." There was a general disinclination, however, to alter the ancient usage and adopt a system that might lead to endless discussion. Lord Josue RUSSELL suggested that the subject should be referred to a Select Committee; and Lord PALMERSTON, adopting that view, promised to move for one. The amendment having been withdrawn, the House went into Com. mittee, and made some progress in the Civil Estimates. On one vote only was there a division. Mr. BLACKBURN moved that the vote of 75,7811. for keeping up the Parks should be reduced to 57,865/. This was negatived by 210 to 66, and the entire vote was agreed to.
The Lord Chamberlain has given notice that no corridor or gallery tickets will be issued for the ensuing drawingroom on Tuesday the 23d instant. At a meeting of the Oxford Town-Council, on Thursday, a majority of 10 to 8 adopted a resolution calling on the City Members to support Mr. Berkeley's motion for the adoption of vote by ballot.
A telegraphic despatch from Pans, dated yesterday, says—" The Plenipotentiaries met this afternoon at five o'clock, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to sign the convention relative to the new frontiers of Bessarabia. Up to this moment the result of the meeting is not known, but it is not anticipated that any obstacle will arise."
The Horning Herald states that Hugh hums Cameron, the late manages of the Royal British Bank, has been arrested at Lausaune, and is now on his way to England.
Previous page
