Sitting of 29 July 1856

MINUTE.
NEW MEMBER SWORN.—For County of Dorset, Henry Gerard Sturt, esq.

THE LEITRIM MILITIA—QUESTION.
MR. BRADYsaid, he would beg to ask the hon. Under Secretary for War why the staff of the Leitrim Militia was not to be quartered in the county town in accordance with the recommendation of the Lord Lieutenant of the county?
MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, that the arrangements respecting the staff of the Irish Militia rested with the Irish Government. There had not been any correspondence on the subject with the War Department.
MR. BRADYsaid, he would then beg to address his question to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
MR. HORSMANsaid, that, not having any notice of the question, he was unable to answer it.

ARMY WORKS CORPS—QUESTION.
SIR JOHN SHELLEYsaid, he wished to put a question to the hon. Under Secretary for War. Considerable dissatisfaction had been felt by the men of the Army Works Corps because they did not receive a written or printed discharge on their return
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to this country. That omission had, however, been repaired by a subsequent arrangement; and he now wished to ask the hon. Gentleman whether the claim made by the men to pay from the date of their landing up to the receipt of their discharge would be taken into the early consideration of the Government?
MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, he was informed that the great body of the men had been settled with on their arrival, and had returned to their homes perfectly satisfied; had a small number had moved this question relative to the sums to which they supposed they were entitled. There could be no doubt their discharge dated from the period of their arrival in this country, and they would therefore all be paid up to that time, but they were not entitled to anything more.
SIR JOHN SHELLEYsaid, he wished the Government to consider that these men, not having been discharged, were unable to obtain employment elsewhere. They wished to be placed on the same footing as the militia. The number that had brought forward this grievance was not so small as the hon. Gentleman seemed to suppose. It was above 400 men. He would ask if the Government would take the case into their consideration at an early moment.?
SIR JOSEPH PAXTONsaid, that he had investigated almost every one of the claims that had been made; and in every case he had found that the statement about their not being able to obtain employment elsewhere was groundless. In not one case had there been the least difficulty through their not having a written discharge. The terms upon which they had been engaged were that they should have a free passage to this country, and on arriving here should receive a gratuity. They had received their gratuity, and had given a written receipt for it; and the men had all been dealt with according to the original arrangement.

FRENCH DECORATIONS—QUESTION.
COLONEL NORTHsaid, he wished to ask the hon. Under Secretary for War if there was any objection to lay upon the table the documents bearing the names of the British officers and soldiers upon whom the medals granted by the Emperor of the French had been conferred.
MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, there would be no objection to lay those documents upon the table.

CASE OF GENERAL, BEATSON— QUESTION.
MR. ROEBUCK: I rise, Sir, to put a question of which I gave notice on Saturday. The House will recollect that both the noble Lord at the head of the Government and the hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary for War stated the other night that the inquiry into the conduct of General Beatson was still pending, and that the House ought therefore to abstain from expressing any opinion on the subject. On the day after that statement was made, the 23rd of July, a letter was written by the Government to General Beatson, based upon documents which had been in the possession of the War Department a fortnight before, and giving a full acquittal to that officer. I wish to ask the noble Lord whether he was aware of those documents when he addressed the House the other night? I suppose he only spoke the words that had been set down for him. That excuse cannot, however, apply to the hon. Gentleman (Mr. F. Peel), who must have had cognisance of the documents when he made his statement to the House.
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON: Sir, the circumstance to which the hon. and learned Gentleman alludes only shows the bad results attending the interposition of hon. Members, at the instigation of persons not in this House, upon matters which are still under the consideration of Government, and have not yet been made the subject of action, I practised no deception on the House. I was quite aware that this question had been considered by my noble Friend at the head of the War Department; and I stated the other night, as distinctly as I could, that in a very few days a decision would be come to by the Government and a communication made to General Beatson. I did not think it proper then to inform either the hon. and learned Member or the House what would be the decision on this matter at which the Government were likely to arrive. If any inconvenience has arisen it is owing, therefore, to the impatient haste of the hon. and learned Gentleman, acting on a suggestion of General Beatson, on a question that was pending elsewhere. Of course, until the decision had been definitively taken, and regularly communicated to the gallant officer concerned, it might have been liable to a change in the event of certain circumstances being brought to the knowledge of my noble Friend.
MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, he
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would only add to the statement just made by his noble Friend, that in answering the speech of the hon. and gallant Member for Portarlington (Colonel Dunne) on a previous evening, he (Mr. F. Peel) said, in substance, that although the correspondence had not been completed, yet the communications received by the Government did not support the charges made against General Beatson.
MR. ROEBUCK: The hon. Gentleman said that the inquiry was still pending.
MR. FREDERICK PEEL: I made use of no such an expression.
COLONEL DUNNEsaid, he would give notice, that early next Session he should call the attention of the House to the manner in which officers in the army were put upon their trial on the most serious charges, without receiving any previous notice of the accusations brought against them. That practice was one deeply affecting the honour and discipline of the army, and must touch the feelings of every soldier.
COLONEL FRENCHsaid, he should be glad to know whether, now that the inquiry in General Beatson's case was concluded, the noble Lord at the head of the Government had any objection to mention the name of the gallant officer's accuser?
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON: Sir, I do not know from whom General Shirley received the information which he communicated to General Vivian, and which the latter sent home to my noble Friend at the head of the War Department; nor am I aware that my noble Friend knows their names either. One officer whose name has been mentioned in connection with this matter is Colonel O'Reilly—a man of perfect honour and the highest integrity, who was distinguished for his ardent desire to improve himself in his profession, and who with that view served as a volunteer in the Sardinian army, and also in the armies of other countries. He afterwards went to Turkey, where he was appointed to the command of the Turkish cavalry. As far as anything communicated by General Shirley originated with Colonel O'Reilly, I am confident, therefore, that the latter stated only what he believed to be strictly correct.
SIR CHARLES BURRELLsaid, he thought the proceedings instituted against General Beatson, whoso accuser was allowed to remain anonymous, were extremely harsh, and contrary to the spirit of the law of England.
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON: Sir, while General Beatson was in England the parties from whom the information came were at Schumla, and afterwards at Kertch. The inquiry ordered by my noble Friend was merely a preliminary one, to see whether further steps were necessary.

SMITHFIELD—QUESTION.
VISCOUNT RAYNHAMsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as Smithfield could not again be converted into a cattle-market, there was any objection to the immediate removal of all the pens and barriers remaining there, so as to enable it to become a place of recreation for the inhabitants of that crowded locality?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that no doubt Smithfield was in its present state very unsightly, and also somewhat inconvenient. There were difficulties, however, which existed as to the ownership of the site; and it was impossible, under any circumstances, to appropriate it without an Act of Parliament. If the railings were now to be removed, there would be a large open space left, which it would be difficult to keep in proper order.

THE CRIMEAN INQUIRY—QUESTION.
COLONEL NORTHsaid, the Report recently laid on the table with reference to the condition of the army in the Crimea attributed many of the disasters which took place to the want of forage, he wished to know whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take any notice of the very gross neglect which had been exhibited by Sir Charles Trevelyan, who was at the head of the department responsible for such supplies?
VISCOUNT PALMERSTONreplied, that Sir Charles Trevelyan was not examined before the Board of General Officers, and he had not an opportunity of making any statement as to the course pursued by the Treasury. Sir Charles Trevelyan was only the organ of the Treasury, but of course an opportunity would be afforded him, as an executive officer of the department, of giving any explanation he might think necessary.
COLONEL NORTHsaid, that he would take an early opportunity, in the next Session of Parliament, of bringing the subject under the consideration of the House. Sir Charles Trevelyan had positively refused to attend the Board, and had issued a pamphlet containing statements which in his (Colonel North's) opinion, were most disrespectful to the Board.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that Sir Charles Trevelyan had sent in a written statement to the Board of General Officers, but, inasmuch as neither his conduct individually, nor the conduct of the Treasury, was referred to the consideration of that Board, Sir Charles Trevelyan did not think it his duty to appear before the Board to give evidence. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had been in communication with Sir Charles Trevelyan on the subject of the Crimean inquiry; and, with reference to the notice which had just been given by the hon. and gallant Member for Oxfordshire, he thought it right to state that Sir Charles Trevelyan disputed altogether the correctness of the conclusions at which the Board had arrived so far as the Treasury were concerned.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.
Message to attend the LORDS COMMISSIONERS. The House went; and the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills. And a Speech of the LORDS COMMISSIONERS was delivered to both Houses afterwards by the LORD CHANCELLOR.
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid;
"MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,
"By virtue of HER MAJESTY'S Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday the 7th day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the 7th clay of October next."

Minutes,
Took the Oaths.—The Lord Vernon.
PUBLIC BILLS —1a Conveyance of Sites for Hospitals.
ROYAL ASSENT—Consolidated Fund (Appropriation); Charities; Cambridge University; Court OF Chancery (Ireland) (Receivers); Coatham Marriages Validity; Indemnity; Episcopal and Capitular Estates Continuance; Customs (No. 2); Railways Act (Ireland) 1851, Continuance;

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Turnpike Acts Continuance (Ireland); Bankruptcy (Scotland); Unlawful Oaths (Ireland); Commissioners of Supply (Scotland); Intestates Personal Estates; Oxford College Estates; Commons Inclosure (No.2); Marriage Law (Scotland) Amending; Income and Land Taxes; Stamp Duties; Racehorse Duty; Coastguard Service; Corrupt Practices Prevention; General Board of Health Continuance; Militia Pay; Cursitor Baron of the Exchequer; Lunatic Asylums Act Amendment; Deeds (Scotland); Judicial Procedure, &c. (Scotland); Court of Appeal in Chancery (Ireland); Mercantile Law Amendment; Sheep, &c. Contagious Diseases Prevention; Courts of Common Law (Ireland); Nuisances Removal, &c. (Scotland) (No.2); Formation, &c. of Parishes; Smoke Nuisance Abatement (Metropolis) Act, 1853, Amendment; Burial-grounds (Ireland); Lunatic Asylums (Superannuations) (Ireland); Joint-stock Banks; County Courts Acts Amendment; Stoke Poges Hospital; Evidence in Foreign Suits; Bishops of London and Durham Retirement; Hay and Straw Trade; Metropolis Local Management Act Amendment (No.2); Vice President of Committee of Council on Education; Reformatory and Industrial Schools; Poor Law Amendment (Scotland); Marriage and Registration Acts Amendment; Criminal Justice; Leases and Sales of Settled Estates; Hospitals (Dublin).

PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT— SPEECH OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS.
The PARLIAMENTwas this day prorogued by Commission.
THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS, namely, the Lord Chancellor (Lord CRANWORTH), the Lord Privy Seal (the Earl of HARROWBY), the President of the Board of Trade (Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY), the Lord WILLOUGHBY D'ERESBY, and the Lord MONTEAGLE, being seated at the foot of the Throne, and the COMMONS preceded by their Speaker being present, the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR, on behalf of the LORDS COMMISSIONERS, then delivered the following Speech:—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"WE are commanded by Her Majesty to release you from further Attendance in Parliament, and at the same Time to express to you Her warm Acknowledgments for the Zeal and Assiduity with which you have applied yourselves to the Discharge of your Public Duties during the Session.
"WHEN Her Majesty met you in Parliament at the Opening of the Session
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Her Majesty was engaged, in Cooperation with Her Allies, The Emperor of the French, The King of Sardinia, and The Sultan, in an arduous War, having for its Object Matters of high European Importance; and Her Majesty appealed to your Loyalty and Patriotism for the necessary Means to carry on that War with the Energy and Vigour essential to Success.
"You answered nobly the Appeal then made to you; and Her Majesty was enabled to prepare for the Operations of the expected Campaign Naval and Military Forces worthy of the Power and Reputation of this Country.
"HAPPILY it became unnecessary to apply those Forces to the Purposes for which they had been destined. A Treaty was concluded by which the Objects for which the War had been undertaken were fully attained; and an honourable Peace has saved Europe from the Calamities of continued Warfare.
"HER MAJESTY trusts that the Benefits resulting from that Peace will be extensive and permanent; and that while the Friendships and Alliances which were cemented by common Exertions during the Contest will gain Strength by mutual Interests in Peace, those Asperities which inherently belong to Conflict will give place to the Confidence and Goodwill with which a faithful Execution of Engagements will inspire those who have learnt to respect each other as Antagonists.
"HER MAJESTY commands us to thank you for your Support in the Hour of Trial, and to express to you Her fervent Hope that the Prosperity of Her faithful People, which was not materially checked by the Pressure of War, may continue and be increased by the genial Influence of Peace.
"HER MAJESTY is engaged in Negotiations on the Subject of Questions in connection with the Affairs of Central America; and Her Majesty hopes that the Differences which have arisen on those Matters between Her Majesty's Government and that of the United States may be satisfactorily adjusted.
"WE are commanded by Her Majesty to inform you that Her Majesty desires to avail Herself of this Occasion to express the Pleasure which it afforded Her to receive during the War in which She has been engaged numerous and honourable Proofs of Loyalty and Public Spirit from Her Majesty's Indian Territories, and from those Colonial Possessions which constitute so valuable and important a Part of the Dominions of Her Majesty's Crown.
"HER MAJESTY has given Her cordial Assent to the Act for rendering more effectual the Police in Counties and Boroughs in England and Wales. This Act will materially add to the Security of Person and Property, and will thus afford increased Encouragement to the Exertions of honest Industry.
"HER MAJESTY rejoices to think that the Act, for the Improvement of the internal Arrangements of the University of Cambridge will give fresh Powers of Usefulness to that ancient and renowned Seat of Learning.
"THE Act for regulating Joint-stock Companies will afford additional Facilities for the advantageous Employment of Capital, and will thus tend to promote the Development of the Resources of the Country; while the Acts passed relative to the Mercantile Laws of England and of Scotland will diminish the Inconvenience which the Differences of those Laws occasion to Her Majesty's Subjects engaged in Trade.
"HER MAJESTY has seen with satisfaction that you have given your Attention to the Arrangements connected with County Courts. It is Her Majesty's anxious Wish that Justice should be attainable by all Classes of Her Subjects with as much Speed and with as little Expense as may be consistent with the due Investigation of the Merits of Causes to be tried.
"HER MAJESTY trusts that the Act for placing the Coast-Guard under the Direction of the Board of Admiralty will afford the Groundwork for Arrangements for providing, in Time of Peace, Means applicable to National Defence on the Occurrence of any future Emergency.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"WE are commanded by Her Majesty to thank you for the Readiness with which you have granted the Supplies for the present Year.
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"HER MAJESTY commands us to congratulate you on the favourable State of the Revenue, and upon the thriving Condition of all Branches of the National Industry; and She acknowledges with Gratitude the Loyalty of Her faithful Subjects, and that Spirit of Order and that Respect for the Law which prevail in every Part of Her Dominions.
"HER MAJESTY commands us to express Her Confidence that on your Return to your Homes you will promote, by your Influence and Example, in your several Districts, that continued and progressive Improvement which is the vital Principle of the Well-being of Nations; and Her Majesty fervently prays that the Blessing of Almighty

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God may attend your Steps, and prosper your Doings for the Welfare and Happiness of Her People."
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which
The LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
"MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,
"By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday the Seventh Day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the Seventh Day of October next."