HOUSE OF COMMONS. [From the Inverness Journal, April 5.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 15, 13 September 1845, Page 4

HOUSE OF COMMONS. [From the Inverness Journal, April 5.]

The Navy Estimates. — On the order of the day for going into a Committee of Supply being moved, the Speaker called successively upon Sir Charles Napier and Mr. Wakley, who had given notice of amendments ; the former un the State of the Navy, the latter on the opening of' Mr. Duncombe's letters at the Post office; but neither of the honourable members having answered to his name, the house went into committee, aud Mr. Corrie proceeded to make his statement on the navy estimates. The honourable Secretary had not advanced far in his subject, when Sir Charles Napier and Mr. Wakley rushed in, almost simultaneously, and took their seats amidst universal laughter. The gallant Commodore wisely held his peace when he found he ha d been outmanoeuvred, but Mr. Wakley, complained of the " sharp practice" of which he had been made the victim. Sir R. Peel appeased the honourable member for Finsbury with a few complimentary remarks, and a promise of future preference, and the governmeut business proceeded. An increase of 4000 men was proposed for the navy, which gave rise to a discussion, in which Sir C. Napier censured the present construction of the ' war steam vessels, and suggested that a commission of scientific men should be appointed to examine the principles on which they are built. After a desultory discussion and conversation on this subject, in which several naval officers, Sir C. Cockburn, Captain Berkley, and others joined, Mr. Hume recalled their attention to the question before the house namely whether such an increase was reqnired to the naval force ; aud urged that those large establishments, in place of being, as was asserted, a security for peace, awakened the jealousy of all foreign nations, and rather laid the foundation of war. An amendment moved by Mr. Hume being withdrawn, the subject wasresutned by Lord Pahuercton, who stated that wheu the present government had come mio power they had flattered themselves that, by a s) stem of acquiescence and concession, they would be euahled to maintain such a state of relationship with foreign Power* as would permit them to reduce the naval and nnhtaty estabiibhments of the country. The government, he thought, had gone much too far m that course of policy consistently with the honour and interebts of this country. What had been the consequence ? They had seen from the speech from the thiotie here, and also from the speech from the throne in France, that they had been on the verge ol a most serious rupture with that Country. Despite too, of the sacrifice which the government had made of the interests aud territory ot Euglaud in America, the news which had recently reached the shores ot England d d not tend to diminish the motives to a continued it not to au increased vigilance. Although he regarded it as satisfactory to learn that our steam power was, as three to two compared with that of France, yet heshould wish to know what was the proportion as to the number of the vessels possessed oy thetwo powers, because it was clear that it tin-re be a greater number of vessels po-sessed by one — especially m a narrow ohanne,' — the actual supei lonty as to horse power hy the other would not counterbalance the di&auvantage. The noble lord then entered into the history of jhe right of search question, and charged the government with deserting their duty, for the purposes ol keeping M. Guizot ashoit time longer in olhce. Sir 11. Peel, in reply, intimated that Lord Pdlmerston should bring forward a motion on the subject of our loreign policy it it met his disapprobation ; and he taunted him with the issue vi' bis motion, on what he called the Ashburton capitulation, which was entirely suppoited by the house. With regard to l'i ance, he thought it more becoming the rank and character ol thecouutry to maintain a temperate tone than to bluster and siorm in a useless aud unbecoming manner. Respecting the right of search, he lamented the popular feeling in France, whicb paralizeu the efficacy of this piivilege; whicii i'eehug, lie added, arose when Lord Palmerstoo was Minister dud after the dulerence with France in 1840. Lord John Russell justified Lord Pdlmerstou for introducing the right ot search info thN debate, and added that in maKin« concessions on any point, you would be driven to resist sooner ihau it a proper firmness were shown on points of minor nupoitauce. The vote ot 4l>oo additional seamen was fi- | uaJly agreed to.

The Exercise of the Right of Search —The following extract of a letter from H.M.S. Growler, Jan. 19 off Sea Bar, couveys some notion of what the exercise of this right really is : — "On the 1 2th Jan., Lieut. Lodwick (tiy; first lieutenant of this ship), whr had been away some time cruising in the pinnaceo on the look out for slavers off this place, the Growle y having left to go down to Galtinas, which he was guarding during our absence, fell in with a felucca, which, on seeing the piunace, hove to ; and of course, Lieut. Lodwick thought, as she might have got away it she had chosen, she would show no resistance" When the pinnace, however, was within 30 yards, they observed a whole range of muskets fore and aft the felucoa ; after this Lieut. Lodwick cheered his men before she discharged this fearful battery, but no sooner was the cheer out than they opened on the boat, which was returned with round shot and 180 balls in a bag. The felucca opened again, com-! pletely riddling the boat, killing two of the men, and wounding two others severely, Lieut. Lodwick was wounded severely in the left knee, and thigh, and six of th"c oars shot away, which obliged them to retire; we picked the boat up standing towards the Gallinas. She has been on the coast 3 months, and has 70 men, besides the crew of a prize, she lost her rudder going over a bar, and was obliged to put •juto Havannah."