Mr. Sec. Canningrose to make some observations on what had fallen on a former night, from an hon. member (Mr. W. Smith), whom he was sorry not to see then in his place, upon a subject that it would have been his duty to have answered him on that slight, if he had then been in the house. Fie could not help saying, that the topic alluded to was one of those that ought not upon light grounds to be stated to the house. Although it was supposed that nothing was repeated that passed in that house, yet the fact was well known, that what was stated in that house was not only read in this but hi other countries, and the common enemy could derive great advantage from any thing which Could tend to make jealousies between his majesty and his allies. The statement of the hon. member was, as he was informed, that the Sicilian government and nation were in such a state that it was our duty to propose something of political regeneration to them. He could assure the house, that there existed the most cordial good understanding and co-operation between the government of this country and the Sicilian government, as also between the armies of the two countries. Our officers regulated almost all their military operations, and it was understood that if 1141 there was any attack, the British commander in chief should have also under his command the Sicilian army, which was very respectable in point of numbers. This was a mark of confidence which few other foreign nations ever reposed in us. He therefore thought it might be of dangerous consequences for our allies to hear themselves in a manner reviled in the British parliament. He was sure that the hon. member could not have been perfectly aware of the mischief which such a statement might have produced, or he would not have mentioned the matter publicly in that house.