§ MR. PEACOCKEsaid, he would beg to ask the noble Lord at the head of the Government, If there was any truth in the statement that serious riots had taken place at Copenhagen in consequence of the retreat of the Danish army from the Dannewerke?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONSir, I have seen statements in the papers of to-day reporting that some very serious occurrences happened at Copenhagen, but we have had no account bearing out those statements. Indeed, they are entirely contradicted by the latest accounts which we have received. When the news reached Copenhagen of the retreat of the Danish army from the Dannewerke, great dissatisfaction was felt and experienced by the people in that city. Everybody knows that it is in human nature—we have seen and may again see examples, of it—that those "who live at home at ease" are very ready to condemn naval and military commanders who, in the performance of their duty, amid great dangers and pressing difficulties, are called upon suddenly, and with but little time for consideration, to take a decision on a question involving not only the safety of the men under their command, but frequently the interests and honour of their country. It is not for us to express an opinion as to the military grounds on which the Danish army retired; but its retirement did produce great agitation in Copenhagen, and there were riots in the streets, which, however, were very soon restored to order by the Danish police and soldiers. There is, therefore, no reason to believe that those results which have been mentioned in the papers as having occurred have actually taken place.