Commons Sitting of 14 April 1863

MINUTES.
NEW WRIT ISSUED—for Dublin County, v. James Hans Hamilton, esquire, Chiltern Hundreds.
NEW MEMBER SWORN—Colonel the Hon. Henry Boyle Bernard, for Bandon Bridge.

THE SEIZURE OF THE "ALEXANDRA."

  QUESTION.
  LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the table of the House Copies of the Papers or Documents which justified them in seizing the Alexandra at Liverpool?
  MR. LAYARD: Sir, as the case of the Alexandra is still under consideration and discussion I am unable to lay the Papers in question on the table of the House.

GREECE—ELECTION OF PRINCE WILLIAM OF DENMARK.

  QUESTION.
  LORD HENRY LENNOXsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a Question respecting the recent Election of Prince William of Denmark to the throne of Greece. He would put his Question in three portions—First, Whether it was by the recommendation of the English Government that the National Assembly of Greece had proceeded to the Election of Prince William of Denmark to the throne of Greece? Secondly, Whether it was with the consent of the King and Government of Denmark, and full knowledge and consent of Prince Christian, that so decided a step was taken? And thirdly, If not so, whether it was after consultation with the Danish Minister in London; or, if not, by whose authority the step had been taken?
  MR. LAYARD: Sir, I am unable to give the noble Lord any answer to his Questions.
  MR. BAILLIE COCHRANE: Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House what is the state of the negotiations with respect to the throne of Greece?
  LORD HENRY LENNOX: I will repeat the Question to-morrow, when I hope to receive a more satisfactory answer.
  MR. LAYARD: If the noble Lord repeats that Question to-morrow, I shall not be able to give him a satisfactory answer. In the present state of the negotiations it would not be for the public benefit that the Question should be answered.

DEATH OF SIR GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS.

  ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
  MR. BUXTONhaving risen, at the call

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  of the Speaker, to bring forward the Motion which stood in his name on the Votes, fur leave to introduce a hill to amend the Acts of Uniformity, was met by loud cries for Mr. Walpole, who had risen simultaneously. Mr. Buxton several times essayed to speak, when the cry was renewed of "Walpole!" coupled with calls of "Adjourn!" and "Order!" Mr. Buxton at length said, he did not know that he was out of order; but if he was, he would place himself in order by moving that the Speaker do leave the chair. The calls for Mr. Walpole being, however, renewed. Mr. Buxton gave way.
  MR. WALPOLE: I should be very unwilling, Mr. Speaker, to interfere with my hon. Friend. It is a most important Motion, and everything ought to be done to give him a good and clear day for its discussion. But I cannot help feeling that the sudden gloom which has come over this House at an event announced only this morning to his Colleagues, and hardly known to many Members of the House even at this moment, does render it consistent with a proper feeling of sincere respect for the late Secretary of State for War that we should, if the House entertain that feeling of sympathy—and I am sure it does entertain sincere regret for his worth—that we should not proceed to business to day. I would not have interposed at all had I not felt that it was the general expectation of the House that the House should not proceed with the business of the day; and I am sure I am only saying what everybody in this House will feel when I say that one more thoughtful, more considerate, more conciliatory, more beloved, was not to be found in this House— that in those qualities no Member could surpass my late Friend—for I may so call him, as I have known him since he was an Eton boy—Sir George Cornewall Lewis. I should ill do justice to my feelings if I did not respond to the suggestions which have been made to me by Gentlemen on both sides of the House, and ask you, Sir, to put from the chair the Motion with which I am about to conclude, that out of respect to the memory of the late Sir George Cornewall Lewis we should now adjourn.
  VISCOUST PALMERSTON: Sir, I am sure the House will sympathize with the feelings which have induced the right hon. Gentlemen to make the Motion now in your hands. It would he impossible for any man to add to the well deserved tri-
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  bute which the right hon. Gentleman has paid to the memory of the Colleague whom we have lost, and I think I shall best consult the feelings of the House by simply seconding the Motion.
  MR. DISRAELI(after some hesitation) rose and said: Before the Question is put, I wish to say a few words to the House. I was not aware, until a few moments ago, of the calamity which has fallen on the country. The Queen has lost one of the ablest of her servants, and this House has lost one of its Members who, I am sure, possessed the universal regard and respect of all who knew him. I do not know the man who combined in so eminent a degree as Sir George Lewis, both from acquirement and from native power of thought, the faculty upon all public matters of arriving at a sound and thorough opinion. Although he was a man most remarkably free from prejudice and passion, that exemption from sentiments which are supposed in general to be necessary to the possession of active power had not upon him that effect which they generally exercise; and he was a man who, in all the transactions of life, brought a great organizing faculty and a great power of sustained perseverance to the transaction of public affairs. Sir, I am sure that the rising statesmen of both sides may take him as an example that in many particulars may be remembered and followed with advantage; and I am quite sure that his name will never be mentioned in this House without feelings of deep respect and unfeigned regret for what may be deemed an untimely loss, which I think the country could ill bear.
  Resolved, Nemine Contradicente, That, out of respect for the memory of the late Right Honourable Sir George Cornewall Lewis, this House do now adjourn.
  House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock.