§ EARL FITZWILLIAMsaid, great interest was felt out of doors in a proposal which it was understood had been made to Government, towards the end of November, by a gentleman who undertook to frame ordnance of malleable instead of cast iron. He wished to know from the noble Duke what course had been pursued with respect to that offer?
§ THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLEsaid, the question was not quite so distinct as he could have wished. More than one offer had been made to the Government for constructing guns of malleable iron; but the gentleman to whom the noble Earl referred was, he believed, Mr. Nasmyth, who made a proposal to the Government about the time to which his noble Friend referred. He had had frequent opportunities of becoming aware of the great merits of Mr. Nasmyth, and had an interview with him upon this subject, when he placed in his hands such powers as would enable him accurately to test the value of his malleable iron guns. He believed that, immediately on the receipt of the order with 1066 which he had been furnished, Mr. Nasmyth commenced operations, and that all the machinery necessary for carrying on the manufacture had been provided and considerable progress made.