After Lord Cairns' speech, the Lord Chancellor moved the ad-
journment of the debate, which was refused by a majority of 40 (125 to 85), the House arguing that all the principal speakers had spoken, that the Lord Chancellor's reply might end the debate, and that the Government were only trying to gain time. Ulti- mately, of course, the adjournment was conceded, and on Thursday night, before the adjourned debate was renewed, Lord Granville read the letter of General Schenck declaring in Mr. Fish's name that if the Supplemental Article were ratified, the Indirect Claims would be extinguished by it, and this led to the dropping of Lord Russell's resolution. The scene in the House was very curious ; the strangers round the Throne strained forward to hear General Schenck's letter ; Lord Russell had not come in, and his resolution could not be withdrawn till he did ; when Lord Russell came in and read the letter, Lord Cairns crossed the House and read it carefully with him, and then a short discussion arose as to the propriety of adjourning the debate rather than withdrawing the resolution. The latter course prevailed, the Duke of Rich- mond very sagaciously preferring it, probably on the ground, as Lord Granville suggested, that if the debate were only adjourned, his ablest supporters would not be able to speak again ; but if the resolution were withdrawn, and yet the Supplemental Article were not adopted, they could all have their say on the occasion of its being proposed again.
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