The Press. — London, England, 1854-06-03 00:00:00

■ I 518 been received at the Admiralty from Sir C. Napier, which was dated " Mingo Bay, at the entauce of the Gulf of Finland, 23rd May," and which gave an account of a gallant exploit that bad been performed by the Arrogant, a frigate, and a small steam. vessel under the command of Captain Hall, called the Hecla, on the 23rd of May. These ships heard of three large Russian merchantmen being at anchor in an inlet fully ten miles inland, and under the fire of a fortress of considerable strength, besides a fire of musketry from a large force of troops on land, Captain Hall, in defiance of the fire both of the fortress and musketry, succeeded in getting inland, and in a most gallant manner cut out the only Russian merchantman he could find there, which he carried back to the fleet in triumph. Sir C. Napier remarked that this exploit was worthy of the best time of our naval history. (Cheers.) He might add that the fleet was in the best order and condition. At the time the despatch left, the French fleet had not yet joined, but it was expeeted to do so in about five or six days, so that by this time it must have joined the British squadron. (Cheers.) In answer to further questions, the CueNcELLoa of the EXCHEQUER said that it was probable that in a future session he should introduce a bill subjecting corporation property to a tax equivalent to a sue cession tax ; and Mr. S. HERBERT that regimental dresses were now under the special attention of the Commander-in-Chief, while Lord Raglan was pre paring for the troops in the Haat an accoutrement suited to the climate and the circumstances. The Sugar Dutiee Bill passed through committee. EXCISE DUTIES BILL. This was read a third time, after a protest from Mr. J. O'Corit:Em. against drawbacks, followed by a long discussion, in the course of which two motions for adjournment of the debate were negatived upon division. The house having gone into committee on the Public Revenue, and Consolidated Fund Charges _ . . . The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained the changes which the measure was designed to effect in the system of national account-keeping. These con sisted in bringing upon the votes and under the control of Parliament a number of charges heretofore defrayed out of the gross receipts before they reached the Treasury. The chief items of this class came underthe charges for collecting the revenue, amount ing to nearly four millions, and which would hence forth be regularly inciu led in the estimates and subjected to revision by the house. Certain heredi tary pensions granted to individuals and their fami lies in former periods it was proposed to buy up and extinguish. Some other charges hitherto placed upon the Consolidated Fund would also be removed, and included among the votes. Among these Mr. Gladstone indicated the collateral expense (not com prising judges' salaries) of the various law courts, and enumerated the principle that extreme caution should be used in assigning any item of charge to the Consolidated Fund, when it was removed both from the immediate control of the Treasury and the periodical revision of Parliament. After some remarks from Mr. Hume, Mr. Glynn, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hadfield, and other members, the bill passed through committee. The Merchant Shipping Bill was committed pro form 4. The Juror and Juries' Bill was read a second time, on the motion of Mr. Whiteside, after some remarks from the Attorney and Solicitor General, who ap proved its principle, and other members. Lord PAL MERSTON introduced a bill to render more effectual the police in counties and boroughs in England and Wales. The house adjourned at ten minutes to twelve. Both houses adjourned last night over the Whit suntide holidays—the Peers until Friday and the Commons to Thursday next. THE AFFAIR AT HANGO HEAD. Last night's Gazette contains the official despatches describing the details of the dashing affair in which the Arrogant and Heela were engaged. Sir C. Napier, in commuuieating the event to the Admiralty, characterises it as a " smart operation," and assigns great credit to Captains Yelverton and Hall for their perseverance and gallantry in threading up a narrow and intricate navigation, with the result of " show ing the enemy that they are not safe even in their country towns." The action came off on the 19th inst. at Ekneea, twelve miles in the interior of the THE PRESS. country. Captain Yelverton gives the following par ticulars : " I ascertained from a pilot that three large Russian loaded merchant•ships were st Ekuess, eight miles to the northward. I lost no time in proceeding there ; but did not expect the enemy so well prepared to receive me. Owing to the Heela's light draught of water she led the way ; a task not easy to perform in a narrow and intricate passage, exposed as she was to the first of the enemy's tire. " In addition to afield battery of five guns (two of which I dismounted) and one mortar, they had erected a strong battery which they supplied very efficiently. Captain Hall succeeded in dismounting and bringing off three of the guns. The engagement lasted longer than I expected, as they returned to their guns twice in the midst of our fire. and were only compelled to leave them when their guns were destroyed by our shot. " On reaching the anchorage of Ekness I found that two of the merchantmen were aground, but Captain Hall brought out one under the fire of a battery, which my draught of water would not allow me to near sufficiently to com pletely destroy. I most carefully avoided firing one shot in or near• the town of Ekness, directing the whole of the fire of the guns exclusively to the batteries and troops at tacking us, which consisted, in addition to the brigade of Horse Artillery, of a considerable body of cavalry and in fantry, moving abreast of the ship as she advanced, "I cannot give sufficient credit to Captain Hall for the aasistance he rendered me on this as on all occasions since he has been under my orders; the admirable way in which be went in and brought out his prize, under a galling Ire from the enemy, deserves the greatest praise." The casualties reported to have occurred in the Arrogant are two killed and four wounded. Recta, one killed and four wounded, including Captain Hall and the first lieutenant. . An Austrian courier, bearing a message equivalent to an ultimatum, summoning the Czar to evacuate the principalities, was expected to leave Vienna for St. Petersburg yesterday, the 2nd instant. It is stated that at Vienna on the 27th there was a conference of several hours between the Duke of Coburg, the Earl of Westmoreland, the Baron de Bourqueney, the Turkish Ambassador, the Austrian Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Interior, and Count Grunn, the first aide-de-camp of the Emperor of Austria. M. Gortschakoff, Russian Minister at Stuttgard, is unexpectedly recalled to St. Petersburg. It is thought that he is to be charged with a mission to the Courts of Berlin and Vienna. His pacific opi. nions are generally known, With the exception of Moscow, the Russian troops have been withdrawn from all the garrison towns. A telegraphic despatch sent yesterday from Vienna mentions that two English and one French division have left pallipoli for Varna. Two French and one English division will shortly follow. Omer Pacha, Marshal St. Arnaud, and Lord Raglan reviewed the Turkish army on the 24th at Schumla. Marshal St. Arnaud made a flattering speech, to the effect that he was happy to serve with such troops against the Russians. The Danish Government has prohibited a public meeting at Ringsted, to celebrate the fifth anniver sary of the constitution, at which an address to the King, praying the dismissal of Ministers, was to have been proposed. The proceedings relative to the Archbishop of Fribourg have been brought to a conclusion by a decree entirely rejecting his complaint, but direct ing the removal of the arrests, and liberating the prelate. The French Assembly has granted 1,216,000 francs for the establishment of additional telegraphic lines. Letters from Athens state that the greatest dismay prevailed among the partisans of Russia at the occupation of the country by an Anglo-French force. The Queen, in particular, was excited to a pitch of frenzy that made her husband fear that her mind was disordered. She is said to have repeatedly declared that if the occupation took place she would that moment mount on horseback, place herself at the head of the Greek army, and lead them across the frontiers and rouse the population to arms. Her Majesty's baggage had been ordered to be prepared, and everythihg portended her speedy departure. At length she yielded to the prayers, entreaties, and even, it is said, the tears of the King, who conjured her not to take so reckless a step ; and in his supplications be was powerfully aided by the ladies in waiting and the servants of the palace." The Washington arrived at Southampton yesterday with New York dates to the 20th ult. The President had sent a message to Congress containing all the correspondence with France and England in reiy tion to the rights of neutrals. He expresses his satis faction, but regrets that arrangement is not made permanent instead of temporary. SATURDAY, Six French men-of-war had arrived h which caused much excitement : itwas thought that France meaut to protect Cuba from the United States. 3rt!ant. In a letter from Dublin of Thursday evening it is stated that an order had been received at the Castle commanding Major Ponsonby, Private Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, and several of his excellency's aides-de-camp, who hcid commissions in the Guards, to join their respective corps immediately. It is asserted that 25,000 additional men are to be sent as soon as possible to the seat of war, the Guards being the first on the roll. THE NEW ItOMAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY will COM. mence its first session on the 3rd of November next. The Rev. Dr. Newman will be inducted to the office of rector at the Roman Catholic metropolitan church in Dublin to-morrow (Sunday), the 4th inst. COLONEL SAMUEL WHITE, of Killakee, was seized with apoplexy on Sunday last while sitting at table with his family, And, though assistance was promptly on the spot, he only lingered a few hours. The deceased represented the county of Leitrim for several years in Parliament, in which representation he suc ceeded his father, the late Luke White, Esq. He was possessed of large landed property in the county of Leitrim, and has left no issue. In early life Colonel White saw much active service, and was present at moat of the victories obtained by the Duke of Wel lington. A N OTHER EXTENSIVE FLAX-MILL was destroyed by firs in Belfast yesterday week. The edifice belonged to Mr. Du in, and was worth, with its contents, 6,000/. A great number of workpeople will be temporarily thrown out of employment by the catastrophe. THE WHOLE SILK CROP IN VALENCIA has been lost this year, the value being estimated at 40 millions of reels. The Spanish silk manufacturers intend to hold a meeting, with the object of petitioning the Queen to decree the free importation of foreign silk for a year, in order to enable them to go on with their undertakings. BY • DESTRUCTIVE FIRE which broke out on Monday, the well-known printing establishment of Messrs. liallantyne, W Paul's-walk, Edinburgh, was exten sively damaged. Among other publications which have fallen a prey to the flames were the entire sheets of the present year's issue of the Edinburgh Directory. Several valuable works belonging to London publishers were also consumed, and much inconvenience, as well as pecuniary loss, must be the result. A FraE, accompanied with great destruction of property, broke out on Sunday morning at the Nor. with Arms Tavern on Snow-hill. Next door was an oil warehouse filled with inflammable materials, which were with great exertion prevented from catching fire. The whole house above the basement floor of the Norwich Arms was consumed, and the inmates even saved their lives with much difficulty and risk. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE. Tuesday, May 30. BANKRUPTS.--Jons NICHOLAS SMITH, Jewry-street, Aid. gate, provision merchant—Wm. HEADY WEARN, Southses, Hampshire, grocer—HENßY CL►RIDGE, Soulderu, Oxfordshire, tea dealer-JOHN LLOYD BULLOCK, Battersea, burrey, manufac. luring chennist—GEottoe WILLIAM MERINoTON, Edgware-road, draper Huou LAPRAIS, Harrison-street, Gray ipitai-road, draper—JosEcu LAKIN, Crawford-street, Marylebone, linen. draper—Joss Lawasscit °ADD, Whitechapel-road, draper — THOMAS ADKINS, Beds orth, Warwickshire, grocer—DAVlD H►LSWORTI, Liverpool, woollen draper —Joss HADFIELD, Dukiniteld, Cheshire, grocer—RICHARD °RIDDELL and RICHARD LUBCOMBE, Taviatock, Devonshire, wholesale grocers. SCOTCH SEMUESTRATIONS.— Rosy. WANDA', Montrose, draper—ALEXANDER Stuesos, Iliseduff, Banffshire, merchant , — ALEXANDER JAMIENON, Aberdeen, tea merchant—RlCHAßD CURTIS, Edinburgh, musical instrument maker—Owss JONES ROWLAND, Dundee, manufacturer. Friday, June 2. BANKRUPTS.—IttcHARL GEoROE PRENTICE, Pimlico, grocer —EDWARD PATESO24, Preatut, draper and hosier—JOSEPH WORMALD, Glossop, Derby, shoenlaker—JAMES PALMER SNAP curt, Preston Pluoknsu., Sonierreteltire, wool-dealer—JAnrs HOWARD, Levenshulme, near :Manchester, grocer— GEOROE EDMUND SMUTTLEWORTII, MARK HoDUSON SIICTTLEWORTII, and GZOROC EDMUND SHUTTLES/vial:l, Poultry, auctioneers — Onoacus Jaws* Roursos, Wstwiek, brassfounder- SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. Gronos ROBERTSON, Plains of Thornton, near (Hamm* Forfarshire, contractor — JOHN U RE and SON, Glasgow ,calentlerers— DAr io BA I: E, nurse, merchant—ALtxAnnsit Putinn, Ardrialiaig, Argyllshire, inn keeper. TERMS OF YOU ete 19 regg: Per Annum .. .. .C 1 6 0 .. .. 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