agreed to-Purchase of Commissions in the Army-Sir De Lacy Evans
moves a Resolution for giving effect to the Report of the Royal Commis-
sion-Sir G. C. Lewis opposes the Motion-Speeches of General Peel, Lord
Stanley and Lord Palmerston-The Resolution is negatived by 247 to 62.
The Naval Estimates are moved by Lord Clarence Paget-Much discussion
takes place with reference to the construction of iron-cased vessels and
on the relative strength of our Navy and that of France-Mr. Lindsay
and Mr. Baxter contend that the growth of the French Navy in strength
and numbers has been over-stated by the Government-Lord Clarence
Paget justifies his own representations on this subject, and enters at
length into a statement of the operations of our Dockyards, and the plans
of the Government for increasing our naval strength-Further debates
on Naval Armaments-Impression produced in this country by the
engagement in America between the Merrimac and the Monitor -The
question of Fortifications of the Coast is discussed in connection with
that of iron-sheathed vessels-Important Debate in the House of Lords,
and statement of the Duke of Somerset, as to the condition of the Navy
and intentions of the Government-The relative efficiency of Iron and
Wooden Ships of war is again discussed in the same House, with reference
to the action between the American vessels-Speeches of Earl de Grey,
the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Ellenborough, the Duke of Somerset, and
other Peers-The same subject is mooted in the House of Commons by
Sir Frederick Smith-Remarks of Mr. Laird, Mr. Gregory, Sir J. Hay,
Capt. Jervis, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Bright, Sir G. C. Lewis, and Lord Clarence
Paget. FORTIFICATION OF THE DOCKYARDS AND ARSENALS-Sir G. C.
Lewis proposes, on the part of the Government, a Resolution authorizing
a grant of 1,200,000l. for these works-His speech-Mr. Bernal Osborne
opposes the proposition, objecting to the scheme, as ineffectual and extra-
vagant-He moves an Amendment, to give effect to his views-Speeches
of Sir F. Smith, Mr. H. A. Bruce, Mr. Vivian, Sir J. Northcote, Mr. Ben-
tinck, Sir M. Peto, Mr. Monsell, Lord Palmerston, and Mr. Disraeli-Mr.
Osborne's Amendment is withdrawn-On a further stage of the Bill, the
opposition is renewed by Mr. Lindsay, who renews the controversy as to
the relative strength of the French Navy-He is answered by Lord Cla-
rence Paget-Mr. Cobden impugns the policy of Lord Palmerston, whom
he charges with over-stating the preparations of France Reply of Lord
Palmerston-Mr. Lindsay's Resolution is withdrawn-Mr. B. Osborne
again moves the reduction of the proposed vote for the Fortifications—
Speeches of Mr. H. A. Bruce, Captain Jervis, Sir F. Smith, Sir G.!C. Lewis,
Lord Palmerston, Mr. Cobden, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer-
After some further debate, Mr. Osborne's Amendment is negatived by
110 to 62-Further Amendments are moved upon the Bill, but the pro-
positions of the Government, with slight modifications, are carried-The
Second Reading of the Bill is moved by Lord de Grey in the House of
Lords on the 25th of July-Speeches of the Earl of Ellenborough, the
Duke of Somerset, Duke of Cambridge, Earls Grey and Malmesbury, and
Earl Russell The Bill is passed .
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