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ecclesiastical courts . Government , indeed , through the Solicitok-GeneraI ; , objected to the inquiry , but then it was on the ground that it was useless ; that more than enough is known for purposes of action , and that the whole grievance is intolerable . Still further inquiry was deprecated , as likely to lead to piecemeal legislation ; and Mr . Bethell seemed to point to some comprehensive measure involving a thorough reform of these courts in connexion with alterations in others
He hoped gentlemen would rely on the assurances of Government . The Attorney-Ghneeal followed in the same strain . Government only asked reasonable time to do well what they undertook . The only apologist of the courts , and he desired to be looked on as ' a sweeping reformer , was Dr . PmilJMOEE , himself a proctor ; but he did not venture to defend them thoroughly . At length , drawn out by an Irish member , Lord Palmerston spoke in these words : —
" I trust that what was stated by the Lord Chancellor the other night , and what the House has heard from my two honourable friends to-night , must satisfy them and the public that the Government are earnest in their intention to sweep nway—to clear out , I may say—this Augean etable . ( Cheers . ) And I think that the House , if they place confidence in the intentions of the Government to make those legislative improvements which have been shadowed out , would not suppose that that Government which was about to reform the legislative arrangements of England would leave the legislative arrangements of Ireland unreformed and unimproved . ( Cheers . )" Mr . Collier withdrew the motion . The third grievance was that of THE LETTER CAEEIEES .
Mr . Thomas Buncombe presented petitions from the postmen from upwards of four hundred towns , complaining of the insufficiency of their wages , the sudden prohibition issued against their soliciting of Christmasboxes , and that no compensation had been made to them for this loss . There was also a complaint from the provincial letter carriers that they received so much less than the metropolitan postmen ; and , besides , had no superannuation allowances . It is also complained that
the red-coated London postmen receive higher pay , and a higher superannuation allowance than the bluecoated postmen , who do a far larger share of the work . Mr . Duncombe fathered the suggestion of a country newspaper , that the number of postmen in the provincial towns should be made more nearly to approximate to the number of the population . He moved a resolution embodying these complaints , and declaring that the grievances of the postmen v » ell deserved the attention of Government .
Mr . Wilson , on behalf of the Government , stated that he concurred with Mr . Duncombe as to the merits of the case . With respect to the special grievances of the sudden cessation of Christmas-boxes , and the general insufficiency of wages , they were both under the consideration of the Postmaster-General , and must be settled . But he protested against the notion that postmen could be advantageously apportioned to population , lie trusted that after this explanation the motion would not bo pressed . Motion withdrawn . An interesting debate on Montenegro superrened on Thursday , relieving somewhat tho tedium of debates on taxation . Lord D . Stuart called the attention of the House
to the affairs of Turkey , as a fleeted by the contest in Montenegro . He observed tJiafc largo Austrian armies were on tho frontiers of Turkey , mid Prince Menschikoff was advancing at the head of three Russian corps in another direction , while deniandn , couched in the most peremptory terms , wero addressed to tho Sublime-Porte by the Courts of Russia and Austria . Tho object of these proceedings wan the Hnmll province of Montenegro , which hud been secured to tho Porte by tho successive ; Treaties of Carlowitz , Passarowitz , and Bucharest .. Since the ; last , named treaty , in \ H 12 , nothing had occurred to affect tin ; title of tho Porte , and
tins Treaty of Vienna , in IS 15 , hud left Montenegro under its suzerain /)' . Lord Dudley described the peculiar character of the Monlencgrin Government , which is administered by a prinee-biHhop , and explained tin ; nature of the demands mauV by Austria with reference to this little dependency , contrasting the ; intolerance ; of that , Powe'r with tho spirit of te > leratiem for which be ; gave ; credit te > tho Turkish Ge > vernme ; nt , whoso magnanimity had been exemplified in tho protectiem of tho Hungarian refugees ; ami he ; mispncted
Hint , at tho bottom of" nil tho professions of interest for religion puf . forth by Austria as tho inotivo of her intorleivneo , there ; was a vindictivo spirit on account of Hungary nnel Kossuth . He ; wanted , thorofe > re , to know bow the Government of thin country looked at those inuUeTH . We ; were ; bound , ho considered , by good imlie-y an well as justice ; , to upheld the ; indepondene-o of Turkey , tho overthrow of which State ; woulel entirely destroy thei equilibrium of Europe mid plunge it into wur . Tho pnrtitiem of tho Turkish territories , ho
insisted , would be a violation of good faith , and a repetition of those scenes of spoliation which had been enacted in Poland . He moved , in conclusion , for copies of any communications made by the Austrian or the Turkish Government on the subject of Montenegro . The motion was seconded by Mr . Monckton MilneS . ' Lord J . RttssexIi agreed in the general principle laid down by Lord D . Stuart , that this country ought to be anxious to maintain the independence of Turkey , which had been repeatedly affirmed by treaties and conventions among the Powers of Europe . He could conceive no greater calamity for this country than to have to consider what was to be done in such a case as
the dismemberment of Turkey , which must involve a breach of faith , and he trusted no Englishman would be a party to the scenes acted on the partition of Poland . If Turkey fell to pieces by its own weakness , questions of great importance might arise which might light up a tvar in ^ Europe , Upon principles of general policy , as well as upon the grounds of right , international law , and faith to our allies , the integrity and independence of Turkey should , in his opinion , be maintained . Lord John then gave an outline of what bad occurred with reference to Montenegro . Although acknowledged by treaties , he observed , to be under the sovereignty of Turkey , this little territory had set up a de facto independence . While , however , Austria had recognised its subjection to Turkey , Russia had treated it as an independent State . The proceeding of the Sultan in
sending a large army against the Montenegrins had appeared to the British and the French Governments , considering the finances and military resources of the Porte , as imprudent , and likely to create a religious Avar , and the friendly advice given to the Sultan by the Government of Lord Derby had been repeated by the present . The expedition under Omer Pasha , nevertheless , proceeded , and the next matter that attracted attention was the Austrian mission of Prince Leiningen to the Porte , with instructions to place the demands of Austria before the Sultan in a peremptory manner . On hearing of these demands , Her Majesty ' s Government had thought it necessary to have a frank explanation from Austria , communicating at the same time our views as to the policy of maintaining the independence of Turkey . The explanation given showed that Austria was animated by the same desire in that respect
as ourselves . " Austria said that it was true that Montenegro , dejure , belonged to Turkey , but added that for a long period of time the independence of tho Montenegrin rnouiitaineera had not beon disturbed , and that the invasion of tho territory by a very large army could not but cause great disturbance on tho frontier of Austria ; and that a great number of people would take refuge across the frontier , so as to make the maintenance of tranquillity on that frontier extremely difficult , and render it necessary for Austria to maintain a great force to preserve tranquillity . She Hot forth also the danger of that religious war to which he had alluded , ami observed , fhut , she had no wish
whatever that Turkey should recede from the maintenance of its title , but desired , while Turkey should punish those who committed acts of pillage in tho Turkish territory , that , in the end , that indepenelent power which the Montonegrins had hitherto dc facto held should be restored . With respect to tho two portions of territory , Kleck anel Sutorina , tho demand maelo was e > f a somewhat complex character , anel dopcnelcd on complicated arrangements , as thoso portions of territory were intermingleel with tho territories of Austria , anel ho inlenningloel because ) they formerly belonged ! to the ropublierof Ragusa . whilo that portion of territory which was yieleleel to Austria by the treaty of Vienna was formerly a porliem of tho Republic of Venice
Tho Austrian Gove-nmienl , hael always represented that the possessiem of thoso intorniinglcel territories by tho Turkish Government was very inconvenient to her , and bo long ago as 18 . T 2 anel IHXi " hIio endeavoured to obtain bv purchase freim Turkey tho Hove > re : ignty of tlioso portions . Having failed in thoso negotiations nfc that time , Austria lmel never been able ) to ace : e » ripli * h her object since , but bIio claimod tho right , which she ; sniel was etnfe > m : el by tho Vesnotian Republic , by the ) inainU'naiie'o of whips of war , that while ) tho lanel was bedel te > be > the ; property of Turkey , no eneremohment . s nhoiilel bo maelo on tho cyast fe > r the * purpewe e ) f trade ) or comme ^ re-o by Turkey . With re'spect to the ; sei subjevt . s , as wedl an with resprcl ; to Home ; others ,
lie ) was not , saying whe ; L ! ie ; r tho Austrian Governmeuif . woro right in all their allocations , but bo montionexl them , ns they gave ) tho Mouse semio insight into tho reason why Austria had sent . Prince Le ; iiiingen te > ( Joiistant . inoplei . Another e-oniplaiiil , maelo by the ) Austrian Government was , that , some ; Hungarian refugees who hael remained in T . urke > y from tho tiiim that the ) war in Hungary cease'il , wore ) not only coimlemmeoel by Turkey , but nllenvcel to nerve ) in the ) iinnv e >! " Omw 1 ' aslin , Imleling distinguished pe > sts in that . fem ; o , imel that their beung chine ; to tho
frontieir of Austria wan iiewesHiirily a causo of umbrage ) to that pe > wor . Another peiint , with rewpesct , t , e > tho refugee )* was , that the ; Turkish ( lovoriime > nt , when hIio porniiMe : el tho II ungarian refugees te ) le-uve ) Turlteiy , hael pre ) iniae ; el to make Homo oxplanatiem to Austria why she ; ae : te'el in a manner contrary te > an eiiifragoineuit , ( ne > l , a written , but , a veu'bal one *) which had boon maelo by tho Turkish Government . Addeiel t , e > those ) deunanels Mieiro wetrei various epics ! ions with rcHpcol to Austrian Huhie-cfs , who , it was alleged , hael suffered wrong from tho Turkish ( iove ) rnmont , e > r authorities , and for which wrong they ouirul to liavo rocoiveel redress . For
that the Austrian Government now demanded reparation or compensation . Such was the general nature of the demands which Prince Leiningen was instructed to place before the Turkish Government . Lord J . Russell was not called upon to express an opinion either on the justice pr injustice of those demands , or of the p articular manner in which they had been put forward ; but ho could not say that they were of a character which could be stated to affect tho independence of the Sultan , or that were not founded at least on some grounds on which the Austrian Government , as a Government not unfriendly to Turkey ,
conceived they had a right to rely . He was unable to give information to the House as to the exact nature of the arrangements which had been entered into . He knew that the points he had stated were the points placed before the Turkish Government , and that for some days great consultation had taken place on them . The English Ambassador at Vienna , however , had communicated to the British Government that the Austrian Government had been satisfied—that the mission of Prince Leiningen had been successful ; and Lord J . Russell trusted that these differences were now at an end . "
He was unable to inform the House the exact arrangement that had been come to ; but the Austrian Government had expressed itself perfectly satisfied . There were , unfortunately , questions still pending of vital importance to Turkey ; but he believed that it was possible for the Porte , by discarding early notions , to give to its Christian subjects as good government as its neighbours . If the Sultan should take the friendly advice of our Ambassador , Lord Stratford , he would always find Great Britain a faithful counsellor . It was our interest , in common with all the Powers of Europe , that Turkey should be maintained in its integrity , and governed so as not to be visited by internal disorders , and he had the greatest confidence that by friendly negotiations and reasonable concessions , all the pending questions would be peaceably adjusted .
Having obtained these explanations , Lord Dudley Stuart withdrew his motion .
FOBEIGN "REFUGEES IN ENGLAND . Lord Dudley Stuart , on Tuesday , said it had been very currently rumoured that demands' had been address ^ by certain foreign powers to the Government of this country , for the removal or expulsion of such political refugees as had here found an asylum . He wished to ask her Majesty ' s Government whether there was any foundation for these rumours , and if so , what course it waa the intention of the Government to pursue in this matter ? Lord Palmehston , in tho absence
of Lord John Russell , replied as follows : — " In answer to the question of my noble friend , aa to whether any application has been made by foreign powers to her Majesty ' s Government for the expulsion of such foreign refugees as are now within the United Kingdom , I have to state that no such , application has been made . In answer to the other question , as to what course should be pursued in the event of such application being made , I can only repeat what I believe was stated in this House on a former occasion—namely , that any such application would be met by a firm and decided refusal . ( Loud cheers . ) It is obvious that it must bo so , because no such measure as expulsion could be taken by tho Government of this
country without the powers were conferred by a fresh act of parliament ; and I apprehend that no person , even if sojinclined—and the present Government are not so inclined—no person could apply with any chanco of success for such powers , inasmuch as I believe that no alien bill passed within tho course of the present century ever gave tho power to oxpel foreigners , except with reference to considerations connected with tho internal safety of this country , it being thought sufficient responsibility to pro * vido for the peace and security of their own . ( Loud cheers . ) But I cannot confine my answer simply to that
statement . I must ask permission to neW , that while on tho ono hand tho British lawa and tho spirit of the British constitution give to foreigners of all political opinions , and in all cate'goriew , oocuro and poacoful shelter within this country , 1 think that those fe ) reigners who avail themboIvcs of tho hospitality of England , aro bound by every principle of honour —( loud cheers)—as well ns regard not emly to international law , but to tho laws of t his land—aro bound to abstain from entering into any intrigues , or pursuing any cemrso intonelcel for tho purpose , of giving umbragei to ' foreign governments , or eliHturbing tho internal tranquillity of anv foreign country . ( Louc ! chewrs . )"
In the lle > use ; of Lords , ye . 'sterdny , Leirel Lyndiiukbt impured whether any eoinniunicutionK had pnsse'd between her Majesty ' s ( jjewe'rument anel the : Government of Austria , or any other foreign state 4 , relative t . e > tho pre ) ereeelin «* s of reluge'es in this country . He ; stated t hut . " considerable : « 'xe'itenie ; nt prevuileul abroutl from a notion that reu'ent insurrectionary inejvcincnts on the CemtiiHMit , bael originated with tho foreign refugees in this country , nnel that our laws wuro iiicllectual , as they sit , pre'se'iit , sU > oel , te > prcve'iil , ce > nspirne ; ie i . s boinir curried
em l > y those ; whe > ( iud shelter with us . lie be'ggeel te > eontradiet , that ieleiii , anel gave it , us bin e > piuiem that our laws m ] uiml ne > idtemtiem to reuch such oilundui'U if evielonee : could be ; brought against them . Le > rel A hkh i > i : kn replied as follows : ¦ - > - " My leu-els , in aiiHweu- to the ) <| iiem < , ion wliioh my noble and le-arncd fricnel lias put , to me " , I have ) le > Hl . iiics lliiit , ult , he ) iigh e-onimunie-atioim liavo taken plaeo re ! H |) OctingTe ) re ; ign reifiigeM-H in this ceiunl . ry , ne > elemanel has bfsefii maelo either by tlni ( Jovorninonk of Austria e > r by any other Hluto of Jllurono . 1 do not dony—1 rouelily admit with my nejblo
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220 THE LEADER .. _ - [ SAOTmnAT ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 5, 1853, page 220, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1976/page/4/
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