§ MR. VINCENT SCULLYrose for the purpose of offering an explanation of a statement that fell from him in the debate of the preceding evening. He had quoted a French despatch, stating that the French General had forbidden the forces under his command to commence plundering the Summer Palace of the Chinese Emperor until the English troops had arrived. From knowledge which he had since acquired he was led to believe that the despatch was either not authentic or that its statements were incorrect; and he was ready to acknowledge the correctness of the statement made by the noble Lord on the previous evening. The remarks that he had offered had called forth comments from some of the gentlemen of the press; but he should as soon think of tilting at a windmill as of endeavouring to rebut their hostile comments.
§ MR. SPEAKERcalled the hon. and learned Gentleman to order. The hon. Member was entitled to offer any explanations referring to a personal matter, but he was not justified in adverting to a past debate in any other manner.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ House at its rising to adjourn to Monday next.