also a large portion of volunteers from all the States of Italy; and they were animated, the hon. Gentleman said, to the highest pitch of patriotic fervour. Surely, an army like that was not to be despised. It was not contemptible, even in its numerical force; but it was still more formidable from the presence of those volunteers which were in a state of high political exultation, and, probably, not very amenable to strict discipline. Such an army in the heart of Italy was fraught with danger, not only to Austria but to the peace of Europe. All in that House, he believed, were anxious to promote the prosperity and improvement of Italy; but they all agreed, he thought and he knew that public opinion in England was agreed-that those objects were best served by peaceful means, and not by war. And so sure as Sardinia, or any of the unquiet spirits in that country, succeeded in lighting the flames of war in Europe, the result would be, not the triumph of the Italian cause, not the improvement of Italy, but the annihilation of the hopes of those who desired the establishment of constitutional government in that country, and the advantage only of those who were influenced by objects of personal ambition or territorial aggrandisement. He hoped the House and the Government of England would consider well the lesson they were endeavouring to read to Italy and to Europe, by impressing upon them that the legitimate hopes of the rational and moderate friends of the Italian cause were bound up with the continuance of peace, and would be fatally prejudiced and endangered by the calamities of war. SIR HARRY VERNEY said, he thought that the demand which had been made on Piedmont by Austria to disarm was but too well calculated to produce a hostile feeling in the case of the latter. If Piedmont were not admitted to the Conference as one of the Powers most interested, he did not see how that Congress would lead to a pacific result. It must not be forgotten that, in making this demand, Piedmont did not represent herself only, but was the representative and mouthpiece, as it were, of all those States over whom Austria had for many years exercised an influence which was injurious to their progress and to liberty. The misgovernment of these States arose from the fear, that if they made any effort for liberty, Austrian troops would be poured down upon them. The interference of Austria in those States was not justified by the treaty of Vienna, and this had naturally excited the Italian people against her. There was, no doubt, that volunteers had joined the Piedmontese army from the first families in Modena, Verona, Florence, and even Rome, because they felt that their only chance of expelling the Austrians was by force of arms. He was afraid, however, that even if that did occur, poor Italy would only exchange one master for another, for he did not believe that the different States would ever unite into one Italian power. If the Lombard troops were to unite with the Piedmontese in driving the Austrians out, then he feared that the Lombards would become jealous of the Sardinians and the Sardinians of the Lombards, and that the long-cherished dream of a free Italian Republic would not be realized. He sincerely hoped that those who were about to proceed from this country to take part in the Congress would be successful; but he must say, that their chance of success was lessened in consequence of what he must call the unpatriotic and reckless measure of Government in dissolving the Parliament. The Earl of Malmesbury and Earl Cowley could not speak in the name of England with that influence and authority which the representatives of England ought to exercise, when it was not known whether the Parliament which was about to be summoned would be favourable or unfavourable to the Government they represented. SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBY said, he thought the House had very slender materials for a discussion on the statements made by the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and therefore he would only make this observation, that while it was impossible for them not to take an interest in the constitutional kingdom of Piedmont, still if the Congress did meet, three, and probably four, of the five Powers who were to compose it that was to say, England, Russia, Prussia, and France-would be found to take a deep interest in the welfare of Piedmont. He hoped their endeavours to avert war would be successful, as it was perfectly clear that the first hostile cannon fired would be fatal to the welfare of Piedmont. It mattered not, whether she was successful in the war or unsuccessful. If Austria were to succeed, the consequence to her would be disaster and ruin. But if she, with the assistance of France, were to succeed in driving out the Austrians, the consequences would be scarcely less disas trous. Her finances would be wholly disorganized. He therefore trusted that the Piedmontese Government would choose a wise and sagacious course, and that by every means in their power they would promote the meeting of a Congress where they would have so many friends. Return to lie on the table. SECRET DESPATCHES OF THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT.-RESOLUTION. SIR GEORGE LEWIS said, he rose to move a Resolution, to the effect that it was not competent to the Secretary of State for India to send orders and instructions through the Secret Department to the Governments and Presidencies in India on any subject not being a matter concerning the levying war, or making peace, or treating or negotiating with any of the Native Princes or States in India. He would first say a few words in explanation of the origin and functions of the Secret Committee of the East India Company, and its relations to the Board of Control and to the Governor General and the Governors of Presidencies, previous to the recent change in the Government of India, preparatory to calling attention to the despatch of the noble Lord the Secretary of State for India of the 9th of December last. This latter despatch did not purport to have been submitted to the Council, and from subsequent explanation it appeared to have been transmitted by a process which he would designate the Secret Department. Notice taken, that Forty Members were not present; House counted, and Forty Members not being present, The House was adjourned at a quarter HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday, April 19, 1859. cal Supplemental Fund Society Annuities, &c. Act Continuance; Remission of Penalties; Savings Banks (Ireland) Act; Affidavits by Commission, &c.; Superannuation; Combination of Workmen; Municipal Elections. PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT. SPEECH OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS. THE PARLIAMENT was this day prorogued by Commission. The LORDS COMMISSIONERS, namely, The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Chelmsford); The LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (the Marquess of Salisbury); The LORD PRIVY SEAL (the Earl of Hardwicke); The LORD STEWARD OF THE HOUSEHOLD (the Marquess of Exeter); and the LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD (Earl De La Warr) 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 inform you, that it is Her Majesty's Intention forthwith to dissolve the present Parliament, with a view to enable Her People to express, in the Mode prescribed by the Constitution, their Opinion upon the State of Public Affairs. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "WE are commanded by Her Majesty to thank you for the wise Liberality with which you have granted the necessary Supplies for the Military and Naval Defences of the Country, and for the Provision which you have MINUTES.] Royal Assent. Exchequer Bills made for the Exigencies of the other £13,277,400; Consolidated Fund (Appropriation); Manor Courts, &c. (Ireland); Evidence Branches of the Public Service, during by Commission; Medical Act (1858) Amendthe Interval which must elapse before ment; Indemnity; Nottingham Charities; Saint James Baldersby Marriages Validity; the Estimates for the Year can be Convict Prisons Abroad; Recreation Grounds; Pauper Maintenance Act Continuance; Local considered by the new Parliament, Government Supplemental; Manslaughter which Her Majesty will direct immeProbate Act (1858) Amendment; Naval Medi- diately to be called. Public Offices Extension; Confirmation and "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "HER Majesty commands us to inform you, that the Appeal which She is about to make to Her People has been rendered necessary by the Difficulties experienced in carrying on the Public Business of the Country, as indicated by the Fact that within little more than a Year Two successive Administrations have failed to retain the Confidence of the House of Commons; HOUSE OF COMMONS, Tuesday, April 19, 1859. THE DISSOLUTION.-QUESTION. MR. T. S. DUNCOMBE: Sir, seeing Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a question. We know that we are summoned here to-day for the Prorogation of Parliament. I wish to ask when the dissolution will actually take place when the notification of it will appear in the Gazette, and when the Writs will be issued? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: A Council will be held on Satur day morning. We have advised Her Ma- PROROGATION OF THE PARLIAMENT. and Her Majesty prays that, under Then a Commission for Proroguing the After which, THE LORD CHANCELLOR said: 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 Thursday the Fifth Day of May next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Fifth Day of May next. The House went, and the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills; 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 CHANCELLOR said: 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 Thursday the Fifth day of May next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Fifth day of May next. BY THE QUEEN. A PROCLAMATION, For Dissolving the present Parliament, and declaring the Calling of another. VICTORIA R. WHEREAS We have thought fit, by and with the Advice of Our Privy Council, to dissolve this present Parliament, which stands prorogued to Thursday the Fifth Day of May next: We do for that End, publish this Our Royal Proclamation; and do hereby dissolve the said Parliament accordingly; and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for Shires and Burghs, of the House of Commons, are discharged from their Meeting and Attendance on the said Thursday the Fifth Day of May next: And We, being desirous and resolved, as soon as may be, to meet Our People, and to have their Advice in Parliament, do hereby make known to all Our loving Subjects Our Royal Will and Pleasure to call a new Parliament: And do hereby further declare, that, with the Advice of Our Privy Council, We have given Order that Our Chancellor of that Part of Our United Kingdom called Great Britain and Our Chancellor of Ireland do respectively, upon Notice thereof, forthwith issue out Writs, in due Form and according to Law, for calling a new Parliament. And We do hereby also, by this Our Royal Proclamation under Our Great Seal of Our United Kingdom, require Writs forthwith to be issued accordingly by Our said Chancellors respectively, for causing the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, who are to serve in the said Parliament, to be duly returned to, and give their Attendance in, Our said Parliament which Writs are to be returnable on Tuesday the Thirty-first Day of May next. Given at Our Court at Windsor, this Twenty-third Day of April, in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, and in the Twenty-second Year of Our Reign. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. |