§ SIR G. GREY,having laid certain papers on the table of the House, said: In accordance with the promise I made to the hon. and learned Member for North Staffordshire (Mr. Adderley) before the recess, I now lay these papers on the table, and I will take the opportunity of briefly explaining to him of what they consist. They are addresses and resolutions passed by the legislatures and public bodies in various British colonies in reference to the subject of the war in which this country is now engaged. In all the addresses which have been received, the House will be gratified to find an expression of feeling of the most devoted loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, and also a feeling of the most ardent and earnest sympathy towards this country in reference to the war that is now being waged against Russia. Some of the addresses will be found to contain more substantial proofs of that attachment, by the great liberality evinced by those from whom they proceed, in contributing to the wants of the widows and orphans left destitute by the loss of their husbands and parents in the course of the war. Among them is a joint address from the Council and Legislative Assembly of Canada, tendering their congratulations to Her Majesty on the glorious successes which have attended Her army in the East, and expressing their readiness to contribute to the relief of the widows and 941 children of the soldiers of the allied armies of England and France who have fallen during the war. I have the satisfaction to state. that this address was entrusted to Lord Elgin, who brought it to this country from Canada on his leaving the administration of that colony, and that it constituted one of the last acts of his Government. I have since received from Sir Edmund Head, the present Governor General of Canada, two draughts of 10,000l. each, being the sum of 20,000l. appropriated by the Legislature of Canada for that purpose.
§ MR. ADDERLEYbegged to ask the right hon. Baronet whether, as there had been such a strong expression of sympathy on the part of the representatives of the people of Canada towards this country in regard to the present war, he had any intention of proposing any acknowledgment on the part of the Imperial Parliament, of the high sense they entertained of such a feeling being expressed by the legislative body of a colony which constituted one of the most important and most essential resources of this country.
§ SIR G. GREYbegged to remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that these addresses were to Her Majesty; and he need hardly say that he had received Her Majesty's commands to express to those parties from whom they proceeded, her sentiments respecting them. With respect to the question put to him by the hon. and learned Gentleman as to the course which might be pursued by that House, he would take the opportunity of answering it on some future occasion.