Mr. Moran to Mr. Seward
Sir: The exciting political event of the week has been the debate in the House of Lords on Mr. Gladstone’s suspensory bill; a bill to prohibit any but essentially necessary appointments in the Irish established [Page 320] church. From the temper of the hereditary branch of the legislature it is believed by close observers of the spirit manifested in that body that the bill will be thrown out by more than one hundred peers. But the telegraph will supply the result of the vote long before this can reach you. The bill has been much discussed. Many whigs object to it totally. Many liberals want time to consider. Many think it unnecessary, since no great appointments are likely to be made, except with reservation as to future legislation. The bishops are all agreed to oppose. Thus the question will be settled for this year by the vote in the Lords, which will probably be arrived at on Monday.
I was present last evening, and heard Lord Carnarvon deliver his able and well-considered speech. There was an unusually large attendance of peers, as well as of spectators, and his lordship’s remarks were frequently greeted with loud approbation by the opposition. Altogether it was a masterly effort for a man who has not yet passed his thirty-seventh year.
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I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.