Sitting of 28 August 1857

MINUTE.
NEW WRIT FOR TAVISTOCK—v. The Hon. George Henry Charles Byng, Manor of Northstead.

DECIMAL COINAGE.—QUESTION.
MR. INGRAMsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Replies to Lord Overstone's Questions upon the Decimal Coinage, which have been some time in print, are not delivered to this House?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that the Replies to Lord Overstone's Questions upon the Decimal Coinage were being received by the Commissioners appointed to inquire into that subject, and that as soon as the Commissioners reported thereon to the Government they would be laid upon the Table.

INDIAN TELEGRAPH.—QUESTION.
MR. BRISCOEsaid, he would beg to ask the noble Viscount the First Lord of the Treasury what arrangements had been entered into by the Government for establishing a telegraphic communication with India viâ the Euphrates or the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea?
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON: A communication by the Euphrates was undertaken by a private Company with certain contingent engagements, on the part of the Government and the East India Company;

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but we have heard within the last few days that the Turkish Government has not given permission to lay that line down. That decision may hereafter be reversed, but so it stands at present. With regard to the line by the Isthmus of Suez and down the Red Sea, and so across to Kurrachee, there, is a private Company, I believe, that contemplates such an arrangement, and as far as it may be in the power of the Government, without the assistance of Parliament to aid them to make use of that line, we shall be glad to give them all the assistance in our power.

EUROPEAN SUFFERERS IN INDIA.

  OBSERVATIONS.
  SIR DE LACY EVANSsaid, he must appeal to the noble Lord at the head of the Government to direct that immediate assistance should be rendered to the widows and orphans of those who had perished in the Bengal mutiny. He would suggest to the noble Lord the propriety of placing means at their disposal to enable them to return to England. That could easily be done by placing the return transports at their disposal.
  VISCOUNT PALMERSTONsaid, he cordially thanked the hon. and gallant Member for his suggestion, which was a really humane one. He was anxious that something should be done, but until the Government obtained more detailed accounts from the Governor General of the condition and wants of those on whose behalf the appeal
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  was made, he did not know how they could act.
  MR. MANGLESsaid, he could assure the House that the Court of Directors of the East India Company had sent out instructions to give all the assistance possible, not only to the civil and military servants of the Company, but all classes in distress.

  PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT.
  Message to attend the LORDS COMMISSIONERS.
  The House went, and the ROYAL ASSENT was given to the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill. And afterwards a Speech of the LORDS COMMISSIONERS was delivered to both Houses 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 Friday, the 6th day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Friday, the 6th day of November next."

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILL.—1a Charges on Land. ROYAL ASSENT, Divorce and Matrimonial Causes.

GALWAY TOWN ADDRESS.—HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER.
The QUEEN'S Answer to Address of both Houses, reported by the Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms as follows, namely:—
"I have received the joint address of the Two Houses of Parliament in reference to the Report made by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to try a petition complaining of an undue Election and Return for the County of the

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Town of Galway; and I have given directions accordingly for the appointment of Commissioners for the purpose of making the Inquiry prayed for by the Address."

PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT. SPEECH OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS.
The PARLIAMENTwas this day prorogued by Commission. The Lords' Commissioners, namely, the ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY, the LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Cranworth), the LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Earl Granville), the LORD PRIVY SEAL (the Earl of Harrowby), and LORD PANMURE (Secretary of State for War), being seated at the foot of the Throne; and the COMMONS, preceded by their Speaker, being present the Royal Assent was given to a Bill.
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 Majesty's cordial Acknowledgments for the Zeal and Assiduity with which you have performed your important Duties during a Session which, though shorter than usual, has nevertheless been unusually laborious.
"HER Majesty commands us to express to you Her Satisfaction that the present State of Affairs in Europe inspires a well-grounded Confidence in the Continuance of Peace.
"THE Arrangements connected with the full Execution of the Stipulations of the treaty of Paris have from various Causes not yet been completed; but Her Majesty trusts that by the earnest Efforts of the contracting Parties to that Treaty all that remains to be done with reference to its Stipulations may ere long be satisfactorily settled.
"HER Majesty commands us to inform
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you, that the extensive Mutinies which have broken out among the Native Troops of the Army of Bengal, followed by serious Disturbances in many Parts of that Presidency, have occasioned to Her Majesty extreme Concern; and the Barbarities which have been inflicted upon many of Her Majesty's Subjects in India, and the Sufferings which have been endured, have filled Her Majesty's Heart with the deepest Grief; while the Conduct of many Civil and Military Officers, who have been placed in Circumstances of much Difficulty, and have been exposed to great Danger, has excited Her Majesty's warmest Admiration.
"HER Majesty commands us to inform you, that She will omit no Measure calculated to quell these grave Disorders; and Her Majesty is confident that, with the Blessing of Providence, the powerful Means at Her Disposal will enable Her to accomplish that End.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"HER Majesty commands us to thank you for the liberal Supplies which you have voted for the Service of the present Year, and for the Assurances which you have given Her of your Readiness to afford Her Majesty whatever Support may be necessary for the Restoration of Tranquillity in India.
"HER Majesty has been gratified to find that you have been enabled to provide the Amount required to be paid to Denmark for the Redemption of the Sound Dues, without on that Account adding to the National Debt.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
"HER Majesty commands us to convey to you Her heartfelt acknowledgments for the Provision which you have

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made for her beloved Daughter, The Princess Royal, on Her approaching Marriage with His Royal Highness Prince Frederick William of Prussia.
"HER Majesty commands us to inform you, that She has seen with Satisfaction that, although the present Session has been short, you have been able to pass many Acts of great Importance, and to which Her Majesty has given Her cordial Assent.
"THE Acts for establishing a more efficient Jurisdiction for the proving of Wills in England and Ireland correct Defects which have for many Years been complained of.
"THE Act for amending the Law relating to Divorce and to Matrimonial Causes will remedy Evils which have long been felt.
"THE several Acts for the Punishment of Fraudulent Breaches of Trust;
"For amending the Law relating to Secondary Punishments;
"For amending the Law concerning Joint Stock Banks.
"For consolidating and amending the Law relating to Bankruptcy and Insolvency in Ireland;
"For the better Care and Treatment of Pauper Lunatics in Scotland;
"For improving the Organization of the County Police in Scotland;
"Together with other Acts of less Importance, but likewise tending to the progressive Improvement of the Law, have met with Her Majesty's ready Assent.
"WE are commanded by Her Majesty to express to you Her confidence, that, on your Return to your several Counties, you will employ that Influence which so justly belongs to you, to promote the Welfare and Happiness of Her loyal and faithful People; and She prays that the Blessing of Almighty
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God may attend and prosper your Endeavours.
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 Friday the Sixth day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly Prorogued to Friday the Sixth day of November next.