A heavy debate on the Spanish policy of the Government
occupied the House of Commons till nearly two o'clock this morning, and was then adjourned till this afternoon. In the Committee of Supply, Mr. CHARLES WOOD brought forward the Navy Estimates ; but in such a hurried and confused manner, and in so low a tone of voice, that Mem- bers immediately behind him exclaimed—" We cannot hear a word !"
• and, of course, in the Reporters' Gallery he was not more audible or better understood. When Mr. Wooer sat down, Lord MAHON rose— not to make any motion, but to deliver one of his speeches about Spain ; which Mr. CUTLAR FERGUSSON truly observed, contained nothing new, but merely what had been repeatedly urged and as often refuted. The other speakers on this subject were Lord FRANCIS EGERTON, Mr. GROVE PRICE. Mr. POULTER, Lord PALMERSTON, Mr. GAILY KNIGHT, Sir ROBERT PEEL, Mr. O'CONNELL, and Lord SANDON. Sir ROBERT PEEL and Lord FRANCIS EGERTON cautiously attacked the Foreign policy of the Government. Mr. GROVE PRICE excited roars of laughter by the enthusiastic affec. tion and admiration he avowed for Don Carlos. Mr. POULTER and Mr. GALLY KNIGHT declared themselves well-wishers to the Queen's cause. Mr. O'CONNELL irritated the Tories exceedingly by a recital of Carlist atrocities, and the declaration that the Pope had refused repeated applications from the late King Ferdinand and from Don Carlos to reestablish the Inquisition. Lord SANDON replied to Mr. O'Connell in the most violent strain ; charging him with gloating on the scenes of blood which he had placed before the House. Lastly, Lord PALMERSTON delivered himself of one of those soothing, poco. curante speeches which he has found to answer his purpose so well on these occasions. One part of it may be noticed. The Tory Oppo. sition admit that the Quadruple Treaty must be fulfilled ; but they allege that, by the employment of marines on shore, the naval assist- ance, which England is alone bound to give, was exceeded. Lord PALMERSTON bad precedents to show that fighting men, whether soldiers, sailors, or marines, whose head-quarters were in vessels afloat, and who were under the command of a naval officer, constituted a naval force. " Therefore," said my Lord, " I am within the treaty ; "- and we suspect that he is right. Poor Mr. Woon, who, from a compliment paid to his somnolency by Sir ROBERT PEEL, we suppose must have been asleep during the debate, tried to get his Estimates passed just before the House broke up ; but this was not allowed. As, however, Mr. SPRING RICE stated that money was actually wanted to pay the sailors, a " turn-over-vote," as he called it, was agreed to, which places two millions at the disposal of the Government.
Previously to the Spanish debate, Lord GEORGE LEsocox moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the system of Promotion in the Marine service ; but subsequently withdrew his motion. on a polite understanding with Mr. CHARLES WOOD, that the Admiralty would try to do something comfortable for the neglected old officers of Ma- rines.
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