Derby, and other Peers-Second Motion of Lord Normanby reflecting on the Policy of the Sardinian Government The policy of that Power is vindicated by Earl Granville, the Marquis of Clanricarde, and other Peers-Explanations with respect to the relations of Sardinia and France in the House of Commons-Speeches condemnatory of the proposed annexation of Savoy are made by Mr. Kingslake and Sir Robert Peel-Remarks of Mr. Bright-Answer of Lord John Russell-Various discussions on the proposed annexation of Savoy and Nice-Strong animadversions on the conduct of the French Emperor by Mr. Roebuck-On the 12th March Lord John Russell enters into a full explanation respecting the Savoy question, and the proceedings of Her Majesty's Government in regard to it-Speeches of Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Horsman, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Disraeli, and other Members. THE to, and it was suspected that a large section of the liberal party, though professedly friendly to such measures, would be by no means unwilling to see the question indefinitely postponed. A certain number of public meetings had been held previously to the commencement of the Session, and some manifestation of interest had been made; but it was not sustained, and bore the appearance of being factitious rather than real. The state of the public finances excited more real interest. It was known that there would be a considerable deficit in the Revenue to be supplied, and at the same time that increased armaments and defensive preparations would make augmented demands upon the public expenditure. It had also been for some time anticipated that the year 1860, in which the falling in of the Long Annuities was to bring with it a considerable reduction in the annual charge of the Public Debt, would be signalized as the era of some large financial changes; and the character of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as a financier, certainly not wanting in ir boldness and enterprise, gave asnsurance that the opportunity now d offered would not be neglected. ANNUAL REGISTER, 1860. [E and other Peers-Second Motion of Lord Normanby - Policy of the Sardinian Government — The policy of s is vindicated by Earl Granville, the Marquis of Clanner her Peers-Explanations with respect to the relati a and France in the House of Commons-Speeches cond of the proposed annexation of Savoy are made by Mr. Kist Sir Robert Peel-Remarks of Mr. Bright-Ausseer of La issell—Various discussions on the proposed annexation Nice-Strong animadversions on the conduct of the Frenc by Mr. Roebuck-On the 12th March Lord John Rus a full explanation respecting the Saroy question, and s of Her Majesty's Government in regard to it-Speeches hiteside, Mr. Horsman, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Dis Members. al subjects which to, and it was suspected that the public atten- large section of the liberal part inning of the year though professedly friendly to suc ate of Italian affairs measures, would be by no means xpected measures unwilling to see the question in Reform and finan- definitely postponed. A certain The progress number of public meetings had al cause in Italy been held previously to the com warm sympathy mencement of the Session, and England without some manifestation of interest had , and the moral been made; but it was not susBritish Govern- tained, and bore the appearance of ardinian cause, being factitious rather than real. same time, The state of the public finances - principle of excited more real interest. It was = entirely in known that there would be a conublic feeling siderable deficit in the Revenue to be seen that be supplied, and at the same time vas watched that increased armaments and deled to re- fensive preparations would make ring the augmented demands though on lic expenditure. It had also been upon the publian inde- for some time anticipated that the few ex- year 1860, in which the falling in nanimity of the Long Annuities was to bring me, the with it a considerable reduction in the annual charge of the Public anxiety Debt, would be signalized al agi era of some large financial changes; as the ently, and the character of the Chany the cellor of the Exchequer, nding financier, certainly not wanting in their boldness and enterprise, gave assurance that the opportunity now ded offered would not be neglected. Fill was g on as a In other respects, the circumstances of the country wore a favourable aspect-trade was in a sound and thriving state-the farming interest made no plaint, and the labouring classes in were generally in full employment. com The Legislative Session commenced rather before the usual time, the two Houses being summoned for the despatch of business on the 24th of January. On that day Parliament was opened with the usual ceremonies by Her Majesty in person, who delivered the following Speech from the throne :"My Lords and Gentlemen,"It is with great satisfaction that I again meet you in Parliament, and have recourse to your assistance and advice. "My relations with foreign Powers continue to be on a friendly and satisfactory footing. ་་ At the close of the last Session I informed you that overtures had been made to me to ascertain whether, if a Conference should be held by the Great Powers of Europe, for the purpose of settling arrangements connected with the present state and future condition of Italy, a Plenipotentiary would be sent by me to assist at such a Conference. I have since received a formal invitation from the Emperor of Austria and from the Emperor of the French to send a Plenipotentiary to a Congress to consist of the representatives of the eight Powers who were parties to the Treaties of Vienna of 1815, the objects of such Congress being stated to be to receive communication of the treaties concluded at Zurich; and to deliberate, associating with the above-mentioned Powers the Courts of Rome, of Sardinia, and of the Two Sicilies, ject acce sam suc fast no ploy of I or c 66 whic of t havi but v rate to o freed by fo conce fairs peace 66 soon tween deavo prever to say subjec "I "M Plenip of the to thei the m order change [B of the Treaty of Tien-tsin, in pursuance of the LVIth Article of that treaty, their further progress was opposed by force, and a conflict took place between the Chinese forts at the mouth of the river and the naval forces by which the Plenipotentiaries were escorted. "The allied forces displayed on this occasion their usual bravery, but, after sustaining a severe loss, were compelled to retire. "I am preparing, in concert and co-operation with the Emperor of the French, an expedition, intended to obtain redress and a fulfilment of the stipulations of the Treaty of Tien-tsin. "It will be gratifying to me, if the prompt acquiescence of the Emperor of China in the moderate demands which will be made by the Plenipotentiaries, shall obviate the necessity for the employment of force. "I have directed that papers on this subject shall be laid before you. 66 "The last embers of disturbance in my East Indian dominions have been extinguished; my Viceroy has made a peaceful progress through the districts which had been the principal scene of disorder, and, by a judicious combination of firmness and generosity, my authority has been everywhere solidly, and, I trust, permanently established. I have received from my Viceroy the most gratifying accounts of the loyalty of my Indian subjects, and of the good feeling evinced by the native chiefs and the great landowners of the country. The attention of the Government in India has been directed to the development of the internal resources of the country; and I am glad to inform you that an improvement has taken place in its financial prospects. 66 I have concluded a treaty with the Tycoon of Japan, and a treaty regarding boundaries with the republic of Guatemala. I have directed that these treaties shall be laid before you. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,— 66 I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. They have been pre "An unauthorized proceeding by an officer of the United States in regard to the Island of San Juan, between Vancouver's Island and the mainland, might have led to a serious collision between my forces and those of the United States. Such collision, however, has been prevented by the judicious forbear-pared with a view to place the ance of my naval and civil officers on the spot, and by the equitable and conciliatory provisional arrangement proposed on this matter by the Government of the United States. "I trust that the question of boundary out of which this affair has arisen may be amicably settled in a manner conformable with the just rights of the two countries, as defined by the first article of the Treaty of 1816. military and naval services, and the defences of the country, upou an efficient footing. "I am glad to be able to inform you that the public revenue is in a satisfactory condition. "My Lords and Gentlemen,-. "I have accepted, with gratification and pride, the extensive offers of Voluntary service which I have received from my subjects. This manifestation of public spirit has added an important element to our system of national defence. "Measures will be laid before you for amending the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parliament, and for placing that representation upon a broader and firmer basis. "I earnestly recommend you to resume your labours for the improvement of our jurisprudence, and particularly in regard to bankruptcy, the transfer of land, the consolidation of the statutes, and such a further fusion of law and equity as may be necessary to insure that, in every suit, the rights of the parties may be satisfactorily determined by the court in which the suit is commenced. "I am deeply gratified to observe that the great interests of the country are generally in a sound and thriving condition; that pauperism and crime have di minished; and that, throughout the whole of my empire, both in the United Kingdom and in my colonies and possessions beyond sea, there reigus a spirit of loyalty, of contentment, of order, and of obedience to the law. "With heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty Ruler of nations for these inestimable blessings, I fervently pray that His beneficent power may guide your deliberations for the advancement and consolidation of the welfare and happiness of my people." The Address to the Throne was moved in the House of Lords by Earl Fitzwilliam and seconded by Lord Truro. Earl Grey then addressed the House. He began by expressing his gratification that Her Majesty was able to lay so satisfactory a statement of our domestic and foreign affairs before Parliament. He viewed with the greatest satisfaction the paragraph No one could wish more strongly than himself to see merce. He blamed in strong terms the conduct of Her Majesty's Government in not having brought these matters before Parliament, and feared that steps had now been taken which rendered war almost inevitable, and had, at the same time, bound us to the French Government in such manner that we could not draw back. All he wanted was to prevent this pernicious practice being drawn into a precedent, and he, therefore, should move to add to the paragraph relating to Chinese affairs an amendment embodying these opinions. The Duke of Newcastle thought that when the circumstances of the commercial treaty with France were known, the House would be prepared to support Her Majesty's Government. To extend the commerce between two powerful coun tries was the best way to cement peace and good-will, as commerce bound not kings and governments alone; but when kings and governments had passed away, still linked together the people of the two countries. As to the amendment, he combatted the principle which Lord Grey had attempted to establish by the two precedents of 1790 and 1826, which, in his opinion, were contrary to the rule which had been established during the last thirty years. We were not about to commence hostilities with a country with which we were previously at peace; the fact was, we had not been at peace with China for the last two years, for, although a treaty had been drawn up, it was not ratified, and peace could not be said to be concluded before the ratification of the treaty. He could not agree that we had no right to go up the Peilo, and maintained that it was t only the way but the only ghway, and pointed to the Rus sian treaty which had particularly reserved this very route for the Russians whenever they might choose to avail themselves of it, and we, by the favoured nation clause, undoubtedly might claim the same right. He repudiated the idea that the honour of the country was to be made subservient to the interests of the tea trade, and concluded by re-asserting that the practice of Parliament as laid down by Lord Grey was not an established rule,—but that, even if it were, it had not been violated, as peace had not been concluded by China. Lord Normanby thought it would be better to postpone the discussion on Chinese affairs until the papers on the subject were before the House. After a few remarks upon the present state of feeling among the French manufacturers on the contemplated abolition of Protection, he entered at great length into the Italian question, and while expressing a wish that the Princes of Central Italy might not be reimposed on their subjects by force, he considered that, if force were not to be permitted on one side, it ought not to be countenanced on the other. Lord Brougham reviewed the events in Italy during the last year, and expressed his opinion that the Italians should be allowed to work out their own freedom, without the interference of foreigners, whether French, Sardinian, or Austrian. Adverting to the commercial treaty between France and this country, he combatted the erroneous impressions of the Parisian circles, that the treaty was prejudicial to France and profitable to England alone, and asserted that the contrary would, without doubt, be the case. With this |