On this page
-
Text (4)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
sity an opportunity of considering the scheme which they themselves proposed before submitting it to Parliament ? The Earl of Aberdkeh , in reply , declined to pledge the Government to lay their scheme before the governing body of the University of Oxford before submitting it to Parliament , th « more especiall y as Convocation was not a body which could deliberate , having only the power of saying "Yes " or "No "to it Mr . Saproc O'BKBKN . ~ Mr . BEAMiSHasked whether there was any truth in the report that it was intended to extend her Majesty's pardon to Mr . W . Smith O'Brien ? Lord PAxmerston— " The matter to which tny honourable friend has adverted has been for some time under the consideration of her Majesty ' s Government . The facts appear
to be , that pome of those who were transported with . Mr . Smith O'Brien have thought fit to break parole , and have escaped from the place at which they were detained . Now- Mr . Smith O'Brien , whatever may be his other faults , or whatever his guilt , has in this matter acted like a gentleman—{ loud cheers ') —and has not taken advantage of opportunities , of which , had he been so disposed , he might have availed himself . It is , therefore , the intention of the Government to advise the Crown , by an act of clemency , to extend to Mr . Smith O'Brien toe means of ^ p lacing himself in the same situation as those who have liberated themselves by a -violation of faith . " ( Prqlmged charing . ) IIisckiXAHEOus . —The Earl of Cardigan asked the Gov « xsment whether they did not intend to take advantage of the facilities offered by steam navigation to transport the
cavalry of the expedition about to be sent to the seat of war , as well as the other branches of the service ? He understood that sailing vessels were being taken up for this purpose . The Dolce of Newcastle said , it had been found impossible to obtain a sufficient amount of steam tonnage for the purpose , without deranging the different mail and packet services f the country . At the same time he eulogised the readiness tilth which tie companies had come forward , at great inconvenience to themselves , to the assistance of the Government . It was hoped , however , that the sailing transports to be employed might be towed by steamers , and thus the evil would , in some degree , be palliated . The Earl of Dbsart inquired from the noble duke the Colonial Secretary whether an arrangement bad not been
recently made for the withdrawal of troops from the smaller West India islands ? The Duke of Newcastle replied that the troopf had been -withdrawn from four of . the smaller islands . The reasons for it were partly of a military and partly of a pecuniary character ; bat the arrangements had been made for the concentration of troops in such , a manner as to secure the efficient protection of the islands in question . The measures adopted in respect to these islands were part of a general system of policy which was applicable now to all oar colonial possessions . On the motion of Mr . Grogan , a select committee has been appointed to inquire into the state of the Dublin hospitals ; and on the motion of Mr . Oejveira , a committee has been appointed to consider the state of tho metropolitan bridge * .
Untitled Article
THE LIBERAL MEMBERS AND THE REFORM BILL . THE MBETING OF THE LIBERAL , MEMBERS . A la roe and influential meeting- of the friends of Reform , convened by Mr . Hume , was held in Committee-room No . 12 , on Tuesday , in order to consider what line of policy should be adopted with reference to the bill now before Parliament for amending the representation of the country . A very considerable number of members obeyed the summons of tho veteran reformer , and amongst others tho following hon . gentlemen were present : — Mr . Hume , Mr . W . Williams , Sir Joshua Walmsley , Sir J . V . Shelley , Lord Goderich , Mr . Bright , Mr .
Cobden , Mr . W . Brown , Mr . Keating , Captain Scobell , Mr . C . Forster , Mr . Hadfleld , Mr . M . Williams ( Cornwall ) , Mr . W . A . Wilkinson , Mr . Biggs , Mr . J . W . Fox , Mr . Koberts , tho Hon . A . Kinnaird , Mr . Uarnes , Mr . Has tie ( Glasgow ) , Mr , Phinn , Mr . Langtpn , Mr . Ferguson , Mr . Vivian , Mr . Russell , Sir James Anderson , Mr . Crook , Mr . W . M . E . Milner , Mr . M . Sullivan , Mr . B . Wilcox , Mr . Butler , Mr . Cowan , Mr . X . lleywortti , Mr . Heywood , tho Hon . II . Berkeley ( "Bristol ) , Mr . Thornely , Sir Henry Davie , Mr . Cobbett , Mr . Coffin , Mr . Loftus Blanl , Mr . John Ball ( Carlow ) , Mr . J . G . Chillimore , Mr . Lee , Mr . J . B . Smith , Mr . Apaley Pellatt , Mr . Francis Scully , Mr . Kcrshaw , Mr . Alcock , &c . & : c -
COMMITTEE ON COMPLAINT OF BREACH OF PRIVILEGES . This committee has sat this week . At a meeting , on Thursday , Mr . Harrison ^ the printer of the Times , was called , and produced to the committee copies of the Times and of the Freeman ' s Journal containing the articles and charges complained of . Mr . Kelly , solicitor , was afterwards examined for about half an hour by various members of the committee , and we are enabled to state that the tenor of his evidence was very decidedly in support of the truth of the charges made by himself and Dr . Gray , and not at all the contrary , as many had anticipated . Dr . Gray being at present at Louth , the committee , after complimenting Mr . Kelly on the straightforward and manly way in which he had given his evidence , adjourned to Tuesday next , at 1 o ' clock .
it desirable that the advocates of reform should have an opportunity of consulting together with respect to the course that ought to be taken by them with respect to the bill recentl y laid before Parliament and the country on the subject of the representation of the people . No doubt the scheme possessed many faulty details ; but , for his own part , he should recommend the Liberal party , even if they should be unable to procure those modifications which seemed to them desirable , to support it as a whole rather than run any risk of endangering the bill by insisting too pertinaciously upon what they conceived would be improvements . To the best of his judgment , it was a large and comprehensive measure , and he entertained not the slightest doubt that if it should become law , it would he of great service to the cause of reform .
A very long discussion then commenced witfi respect to the provisions of Lord John Russell ' s bill , the merits of which were frankly admitted , while the more questionable portions were minutely criticised . Many objections were taken to several of its details ; but the greatest stress was laid upon what was termed the minority clause , which was strenuously opposed by many of the honourable gentlemen present . Another point in which the bill was also strongly felt to require alteration were the provisions regulating the franchise by the " rating . " It was considered that the word should be altered to
w rental , " both as regarded the town and the country voters ; and it was also thought that the period of residence required of the 6 / . householders in boroughs to entitle them to the franchise was very long . Some hon . gentlemen present complained that tlie metropolitan boroughs had not received their fair share of attention , and expressed a strong opinion that they were entitled to a larger proportion of new seats in the redistribution of the public representation . Much disappointment was also felt that a measure professing to reform the mode of returning pnembers to the House of Commons should contain no mention whatever of the ballot .
With respect to the new franchises and the contemplated disfranchisements , the universal feeling was one of entire satisfaction ; and all present agreed to support both proposals—both of them calling forth a strong expression of approval . The probable results of Lord John Russell ' s measures were discussed at some length , and there was some diversity of opinion as to the extent to which the constituencies of the country were likely to bo enlarged . On this point several members expressed a confident
opinion , founded upon letters received from * their own constituents and other persons who had a practical acquaintance with the different Iocalitie 8 , to the effect that the increase would in many boroughs be equal to one-third of the present number of voters . The probable increase of the county constituencies by the enfranchisement of the 10 / . householders had been shown by the returns recently moved for by Sir J . Walmsley to be about 400 , 000 , exclusive of those who would also be placed upon the registers by the other new county qualifications .
On the whole , therefore , it was unanimously resolved , after a discussion of three hours , to support the second reading of the bill ; and it was agreed that another meeting should be held for trie purpose of considering what steps should be taken with regard to the minority clause , respecting which a strong feeling prevailed . The meeting adjourned at a few minutes before the Speaker ' s bell rang for prayers .
Mr . Hume , on taking the chair at half-past one o ' clock , explained to the meeting the reason * which had induced Mm to call them together , lie thought
Untitled Article
THE WAR PREFACE . In a Treasury Minute , issued to the Commissioners of Customs , they are informed that the Proclamation hereto annexed " has been ] issued , and the provision of the law referred to put in operation , from its having become known to the Government that extensive shipments of warlike stores were in the course of being shipped to Russian ports , and tliat other shipments were contemplated of a like kind . " The Proclamation is as follows : — Victoria R .,
Whereas by tlie Customs Consolidation Act , 1853 , section 150 , certnin goods may , by proclamation or order of her Majesty in Council , be prohibited either to be exported or carried coastwise ; and whereas we , by and with tho advico of our Privy Council , deem it expedient and necessary to prohibit the goods hereinafter mentioned , either to bo exported or carried coastwise ; we . b y und with the advice aforesaid , do hereby order and direct , that from and after tho date hereof , all arms , ammunition and gunpowder , military and navHl stores , and the
followbe exported from the United Kingdom , or carried coast-Gi * T 8 f- ™ CoUrt ' . k BwMnghMa Palace , this 18 th day ot February , in the year of our Lord 1854 , sad in the seventeenth year of our reign . ^^ God save the Queen . Mr . Wilson , the Secretary of the Treasury , who signs the Minute , lays down some limitations of the scope of the Proclamation . " I am , however , to state , that -while my Lords are determined to take every means in their power to prevent such shipments being made , either directly or indirectly , to coontries where they are likely to be used either against Her Majesty ' s forces or those of her Majesty ' s allies , they are , nevertheless , extremely anxious that the necessary restrict tions to which they are obliged to resort should as little is possible interfere with the large and important" trade ' connected with the manufacture of such goods when of a legitimate kind . . -
" My Lords are therefore pleased to desire that , in promulgating the said proclamation to the various ports of ^ thtf United Kingdom , you will instruct tlie chief officers of every port that , while my Lords are desirous that their strict attention shall be given to all cases of shipment of such goods as are included in the proclamation , in order to prevent the nefarious traffic which it is their Lordshi fs' earnest wish to stop , yet that in all cases where satisfactory ' proof ia given that such goods are really destined to other markets an < LpQr , ts than those of Russia , by- the production of : corre spondence or otherwise , taking into consideration the obaracter of the persons and the nature of their usual trade , they will alloir such goods und the vessels , confcunioff wwwi iu tue usual
""" w « mo wayj ana cnatj especwiMy with regard toauch goods as it is proposed to carry coastwise in a regular and established trade , every facility shall * be afforded consistent with tha object in view . 4 atfrf in order that this , part of the trade may lie put trod * as safe and uniform ; a footing as « the circumstances willSi-i rait , my Lords desire that every such , ship eangjoe ^ aiiclft : goods coastwise shall be furnished with a 8 p « ciai ; ti » n 8 ir « at the port of shipment , setting forth the quantity andJiaiare of such goods , which shall be delivered to the . coll ^ ibr of the port of dusiiiation on the arrival of the Biii p / ani-w ^ S shall certify to tlie officers of the port of shipment the due arrival and discharge of such goods . " I am , in conclusion , to add , tliat it is with regret that
nay Lords feel it to be their duty to impose any restriction whatever upon . trade , but they are confident $ nat < 3 & * SK spectable traders will willingly submit to the small additional trouble which these regulations will impose , upon legitimate and fair . trade , when the object is to prevent . Jby all the means in their power , unprincipled persons from < on- > tributing , through our own arts ana manufacttireSj arms and ammunition to be used against her Majesty ' s forces or three of her allies . " - . . Under this proclamation a quantity of gunpowder , intended for exportation and for delivery to the enemies of England , has already been seized . It . is earnestly hoped that all persons haying any knowledge of intended exportation * of gunpowder will immediately communicate with the police or the Homo Office . ^
The captains and owners of Russian merchant vessels « fc present in British-ports have taken alarm at the . prospect of war between England and Russia , and are disposing of their vessels as speedily as possible . A good looking Finnish vessel , the Hornet , lias been sold to Shields owners fir 2700 & She will be in command of an Englishman , Mr . Turpin , and her crew ( Finns ) to a man have reaolvfd to stand by her , and join the English service . During the past two or three days four or five more Russian vessels in the Tyne have been transferred to London owners . The two iron steam-ships building in the Tyne , . ostensibly for a Russian bouse , really for the government of that country , are proceeding with . In the present state of the country they will never leave the Tyne . The letter from the Admiralty addressed to Mr . James Mather , of South Shields , intimating that the Government lave no intention to engage the press-gang or the ballot in furnishing men for the fleet , hut to trust to volunteers to make up the complement , has given tho greatest satisfaction to the North Country seamen .
ing articles , being articles which wo have judged capable of being converted into , or m-ade useful in increasing the quantity of , military or naval stores : that is to say , marineenginea , screw-propellers , paddle-wheels , cylinders , crunks , shafts , boilent , tubea for boilers , boiler-platea , fire-bars , and every article , or any other component part of an engine or toiler , or any article whatsoever which is , c « n , or may become applicable far the wnmifuctura of marino machinery , shall bo , and the same aro , hereby prohibited either to
Untitled Article
THE BRITISH WAR CONTINGENT EMBARKS . ' TUX ! DEPARTURE TBOM LOKDOK . We are now arrived at a definite stage of our preparations for war . One scene id at an end . The British war contingent has embarked . The march of the Guards from London has been one of the striking incidents of the week . Nor was their inspection on Monday much less remarkable . At eleven o ' clock on that day the 1 st , battalion of the Fusiliera and the 3 rd of the Grenadier Guards were reviewed-at the Wellington Barrack * by Prince Albert , previous to their departure for the Mediterranean . He was attended by the Duke of CambridgeLord Hardinge , and a numerous suite . Tlie
, Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary accompanied the staff in their tour of inspection . The troops were drawn up in open columns of companies on the parade-ground in front of the barracks , and the review was witnessed by an unusual concourse of tho aristocracy and military men . Beyond the usual defile , no evolutions we , re performed , and . the whole ceremonial would have deserved no particular notice bnt for the circumstances under which it took place , and its intimate connexion with the thoughts which aro at the present moment stirring the hearts of all . The excitement and the anticipation of active service visibly extended through the ranks . Nor were the Bpectators indifferent witnesses of tho ecene before them . Thoughts of what war might
Untitled Article
February 25 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 173
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 25, 1854, page 173, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2027/page/5/
-