POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
The House of Commons was crowded last night with an audience specially assembled to hear the debate on Foreign affairs to be raised by Lord Palmerston's question. Many Peers were present, and many mem- bers of the Corps 'Diplomatique, including Mr. Dallas, the American Minister. Lord Paimeitsrox spoke with all his usual animation of style, almost more than his usual point ; but in a spirit so elevated above party that he did not need the disclaimer of factious feeling with which he started. He did not blame Ministers for not volunteering information, but he asked it in the interests of commerce; commercial men not knowing what to do. Everywhere there are signs of war in the spring and sum- mer —Governments arming, stores preparing, cannons casting . what is it all about? Has one Government given an affront to another, invol- ving honour and dignity on both sides ? "I am not aware of any such cause." No; there is no ground of difference that can justify an appeal to arms. No power can wish to set aside the treaties of 1815—not France, whom they left a great naval and military power ; not Sardinia, who holds territories under them ; not Austria,—the treaties are her title- deeds. Obviously ancient ,jealousies between France and Austria have been brought into activity by the joint occupation of the Roman States and the remedy is simultaneous retirement from that occupation. Aus- tria may hesitate, in fear that a revolution would ensue ; a very bad rea- son". Instead of putting out your neighbour's fire, look to your own house. It is said that every Roman soldier is against the Roman Go- vernment, and that even the Swiss would desert—but that is the greatest condemnation that could be cast on the Roman Government. Is it essen- tial for the head of a large section of the Christian religion to have two or three generations kept in political martyrdom ? Reform the temporal Government of Rome' modify the treaties which authorize Austria to interfere in the Italian states ; let the powers concur in reforms for Italy, and save Europe the calamities of war. Mr. DISRAELI accepted, and reciprocated Lord Palmerston's disclaim- ers of faction, his views as to the maintenance of treaties, his description of the preparations. But the British Government has not been idle- " I have the satisfaction of informing the noble Lord and the House that we have received communications which give us grounds for believing that both Austria and France will evacuate the Roman State—( Loud cheers)— with the concurrence of the Papal Government. Under these circumstances Lord Cowley—in whom her Majesty's Government have every confidence— has been sent to Vienna on a confidential mission. I cannot inform the House of the preciae character of that mission, but I can say that it is a mis- sion of peace."
Lord JOHN Russzu, expressed his satisfaction with the explanations which had been given, and hoped a friendly spirit upon the subject would prevail.
In reply to the Bishop of OXFORD the Earl of MALMESBURT made a similar statement in the House of Lords.
Sir J. PaxixoTobr brought forward the Navy Estimates for the year 1859-60. The total, he said, amounted to 9,831,181/. against 8,861,377/. for the year 1858-9; the increase being required for the purpose of placing the Navy in a more efficient state. He went through the prin- cipal items of increase with explanatory comments, particularly remark- ing that there were at present only four docks in her Majesty's yards capable of holding our largest ships, and that five others were to be en- larged so as to adapt them for that purpose. No less a sum than 4,000,000/. had been spent within the last few years upon marine- engines for the Navy ; and in order to secure a good future supply at proper prices' it is in contemplation to extend the sphere of competition, while other steps will be taken to economize dockyard expenditure generally. With regard to the number of men which the House was asked to vote it is larger than has been demanded for many years past; for though nominally but 3000, it is actually nearly 7000 more than the number for last year. There was in reality no Channel fleet last year ; but Sir John has since created one of six sail of the line, five of which are first-class vessels, while others are being put into commission, which will give us a Channel fleet of eight screw ships of the line and five heavy screw frigates. This, Sir John thinks, will be sufficient for all requirements ; but if more became necessary, no doubt the House would cheerfully vote them. In addition to manning these vessels efficiently, in order to prevent future delays in the manning of ships, and also for the purpose of training our seamen to the practice of gunnery, it is intended to maintain a reserve of 3000 men.
The French navy is superior to the English in screw-liners and frigates. It is proposed to add fifteen screw-liners and nine heavy frigates to the fleet by the conversion of sailing vessels and the construction of new ones. This will be done in the course of the next year. Two iron-eased ships will also be built on the best principles to place us on a par in that respect with France. There is not, however, room to build these ships in the government yards, and they will therefore be built by. contract Thus the navy will be augmented during the year by twenty .six power ful ships. Less he could not ask, more could not be accomplished in consequence of the crowded state of the dockyards. Sir John, for one, will not be satisfied until larger additions are made to our fleet. He moved that the number of men, boys, and marines for 1859-60 should be 62,480. Sir D;IARLES WOOD described the course of the late Government, and expressed his great satisfaction with Sir John's statement. Sir CHARLES NAPIER thought that the smallest number of ships of the line we should have shunt,' be thirty sail of the line fully manned. The House ironi- cally cheered Sir Charles, when ho added that if the French Emperor inv Wed England successfully, he would ruin our trade and every banker in London. In the diseussion which followed, and in which Mr. WHITBREAD, Sir J. ELpuixgroxs, Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, Admiral WALCOT, and Mr. BENTINCK joined there was nothing particularly worthy of remark except a very earnest ejaculation from Admiral Walcott, who, speaking of the fears expressed by Sir Charles Napier, said—" I have great faith in the gallant Admiral, but, confound me, I think he is talking in the dark when he speaks of invasion" ; and a declaration by Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT that Governments are always afraid of proposing heavy estimates on account of the opposition they are certain to receive ; illustrating his opinion by a reference to his own experience when Secretary of War. During that time he said he had the greatest possible difficulty in ob- taining the most moderate estimates for a service which it was now ac- knowledged was far below the mark in point of efficiency.
The vote for the number of men proposed was agreed to ; and the House adjoured after disposing of the orders.
Earlier in the evening, the Commons had a discussion on the appoint- ment of Captain Vyse to be Consul in Japan ; Mr. MoarxeroN Mmares assuming that a captain of the Guards cannot have the knowledge of trade or languages needed for the post ; Mr. SEYMOUR FrrzemtaLD affirming that Captain Vyse really possesses the qualities needed.
A new writ was ordered for Midhurst.
In the Lords, Earl Glare moved for a Select Committee to inquire in-
^ to the working of Municipal Corporations. Recent Acts of Parliament have created a class of voters who are likely to swamp the more intelli- gent and respectable of their fellow-townsmen. Bribery, treating, and personation, are in full swing. Lord DERBY could not see how an in- quiry of the kind is practicable. It would just now be treading on dangerous ground. Earl GB.ANVILLE and the 10 1 of ELLENBOROUOH having spoken rather in support of the motion, Lord BROUGHAM took occasion to say a word on an expected Reform Bill ; hoping that he should not live to weep over the ruins of the Constitution. Lord GREY having stated that he did not intend to enter into the local affairs of Cor- porations, but to inquire simply into the operation of the Acts in ques- tion, Lord Derby consented to the appointment of the Committee.
The bill for the abolition of the services on the 5th of November, 30th of January, and 29th of May, was read a second time.
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