The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-14 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

will be said, seems as uncertain as Crimean weather. I
heard a few dayeago from a French officer of artillery, that
Pelissier, being asked when offensive siege operations would
be again resumed, said, " Well, I don't know ; the Russians
are losing every day 300 or 400 men by sickness. If we wait
a week they will have lost a brigade, if we wait a month they
will have lost a corps d'armde." But, if the Russians lose
many men- by sickness, they seem to be careful to replace
them again. Numbers of stories are afloat about the formid-
able forces which have come and are still coming down this
'way, and apprehensions of an attack on -the Tchernaya line
are daily gaining more ground.
In the meantime not even the most powerful telescopes are
able to discover anything of the approach of this formidable
force, and the Russians content themselves with firing a shot
now. and then from the batteries on the Mackenzie-ridge at
the harmless sheep and cattle sent by the French over the
Tchernaya to graze, or on the horses going-down for water.
The >Turks are still mooning about, and waiting Omar
Pasha's. arrival, which is postponed from day to day. One
battalion of them has been ordered down into the valley of
Baidarto cut grass. In order to prevent 'confusion a line of
demarcation has been drawn, which separates the French
from the Turkish foragers. Baidar seems to be an inex-
haustible -source of hay. Notwithstanding • the systematic
collection of the French, and the continual drain on its
resources by private enterprises from all armies, a great quan-
tity is still remaining on the hill sides, which, owing to the
neighbourhood of the Russians, are rather less frequented
than the more open parts of the valley. It is likewise an
inexhaustible store of wood. The Turks have cut a good deal
for zemliks (huts), but in their continual moving about they
seem to be uncertain where to take it, so it remains there for
the present.
The 'London Gazette contains a despatch from General
Simpson dated BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, JULY 28.
My lkird,—Since my despatch of the 24th instant I have
nothing of importance to relate to you. We continue to
strengthen and improve our advanced works, which are now
so close to the enemy's defences that I regret to say our casual-
ties are necessarily considerable.
The .enemy exhibit great activity in adding to and im-
proving-their defences, and the conveyance of large military
stores from the north to the south side is increasing.
I begto transmit the list of casualties to the 26th instant,
and the-confidential fortnight reports of the generals of divi-
sion and brigade.
The cholera has nearly ceased in the ranks of the army.—
I have, Sac., JAMES SIMPSON,
Lieutenant-General Commanding.
The -total casualties are —2O rank and file -killed ; 1 officer, 4
sergeants, 1 drummer, 133 rank and file wounded.

The Moniteur of Thursday publishes a telegraphic despatch
from General Pelissier to the Minister of War, dated the 7th
of August, 11 p.m. It is as follows :—I have nothing of
interest to communicate to you. The enemy has not under-
taken anything against our trenches. Some cases of cholera
have reappeared.
THE BALTIC..

THERE are now in the Baltic 85 English vessels of war,
mounting 2,098 guns ; 16 French vessels of war, mounting
408 guns. In the combined fleet there are 23 line-of-battle
ships, with 1,-853 guns; 31 frigates and corvettes, with 554;
29 smaller steamers and gunboats, with 78 guns ; 18 mortar-
boats and other craft, with 21 guns ; in all, 101 vessels,
mounting 2,506 guns.

Admiral Dundas's despatch encloses a report from Captain Yel-
verton, of the Arrogant, of the destruction of barracks, maga-
zines, and stores at Kotka. Captain YelvFton's letter is
dated from " the Arrogant, off the Mouth of the Kymene,
July 28," and says that—
" Very early on the 26th I was joined, off the Island of
Hogland, by the Cossack and Magicienne, bringing with
them the mortar-vessels Prompt, Pickle, Rocket, and
Blazer. I stood immediately to the northward, leaving the
Ruby to bring on the gunboats, which were not then in sight.
They joined at noon, and at two p.m. we all anchored off Fort
Rotsensholm. _ _ _

As the safety of our expedition rested chiefly on our invest-
ing and holding the entire possession of the fortified island of
Kotka, I determined upon taking it at once. Accordingly I
anchored the mortar-vessels out of range, and, leaving two
gunboats to look after them, I proceeded with the rest of the
vessels to the westward of Kotka for the pnrpose of destroying
the bridge, so as to cut off the retreat of the garrison, and
prevent their receiving reinforcements from the mainland.
Captain Vansittart, of the Magicienne, with his accustomed
zeal and activity, threaded his way at once through the
shoals, and destroyed the bridge. As soon as all the vessels
had anchored, so as to command the great mililary road lead-
ing from the fort of Hogfors Holm, and also the channel
dividing the island from the main, I landed all the marines,
under command of Captain S. N. Lowder, R.N., with Lieut.
George D. Dowell, R.M.A., and Lieuts. H. C. Mudge and P.
R. Holmes, R.M., who took possession without being opposed,
as the garrison (no doubt apprised of our coming by the tele-
graphs along the coast) had very recently evacuated it, leaving
behind them a large amount of military stores, which have
since been burnt. The Crown property destoyed by Captain.
Lowder included barracks, magazines, ordnance stores, store-
houses, stables, guardhouses, and other Government buildings,
with an immense amount of timber intended for building and
other military purposes.
The following morning I weighed, leaving Captain Fanshawe
with the Cossack in charge of this most important point, which
required the utmost care and attention, as the enemy on seve-
ral occasions threw out reconnoitring parties, as if inclined to
attempt the recovery of the island.
Owing to a change of wind to the eastward, I regret to say
that the village caught fire from some government buildings,
and I fear much injury was done to it. It is, however, a source
of congratulation to be able to add that the fine church on the
island sustained no damage whatever, owing to the precautions
that were immediately taken to save it.
• On Tuesday a further series of official letters relating to the
attack on the English boat's crew at Hangoe, on the sth of
June, was presented to parliament. Lieut. Geneste's statement,
together with the letter of Admiral Dundas to the Russian
Minister of War, in which it is compared with the accounts
put forward by the Russian authorities, are given in full.
Lieut. Geneste's narrative only confirms the former accounts,
that the Russians deliberately fired upon them, and took them
prisoners while they were displaying a flag of truce. He
anticipates being set at liberty speedily, as they were taken
under a flag of truce; but what increases the infamy of Russia
in this matter is, that there appears no regret, nor any inten-
tion to do common justice, by instantly releasing the prisoners
so disgracefully obtained. -
DANTSIC, Friday, August 10, 3 p.m.
The Jupiter transport steamer has arrived.
On the 6th the English and a portion of the French fleet
weighed from Nargen, and anchored the same day off Swea-
borg.
On the 7th the two fleets were drawn up in front of Swea-
borg.
The bombardmant of that place was to commence on the
same afternoon.

It is understood that in all renewals of steam contracts for
the government transport service the terms are now reduced
from 50s. per ton to 455. or 4Cs.
The thirteen British naval officers and midshipmen of the
Tiger, lost near Odessa, have arrived at Stettin, on their way
to England, having been exchanged for Russians.
During the funeral of Lord Raglan, not a Russian gun was
fired. In return, so soon as the church bells began tolling,
announcing the interment of Admiral Nachimoff, all the bat-
teries were silenced. _ _

IT is intended to raise a Canadian Legion, to be commanded
by the Duke of Cambridge. The commissions will be con-
ferred upon Canadian gentlemen, or officers settled in the
province, and the corps therefore will be national.
THE LATE COLONEL SHADFORTH.—Letters of condolence
have been addressed by the Lieut.-Colonel and the Colour-
Sergeant and acting Sergeant-Major, of the 57th Regiment,
from the camp before Sebastopol, to the widow of the late
Colonel, who was killed in the attack on the Redan, on the
18th June. These letters severally express the regrets of the
officers and men at the painful event. Her Majesty has signed
a warrant granting a pension of £2OO a-year to Mrs. Shadforth.
The following is from a soldier's letter printed by the Kil-
marnock Chronicle:—" The other night I was on the en-
trenchments, and a good number of us were sitting together
amusing ourselves. One was singing a song called ' Mary,
weep no more for me,' in which occur these beautiful lines—

' Far, far from thee I sleep in death,
So, Mary, weep no more for me,'

when a shell came in and burst among us, and killed the man
while he was singing the song. He died in an instant."
CONTRACTS FOR WINTER CLOTHING, &C.—The govern-
ment has entered into extensive contracts for the fur clothing
for the troops in the Crimea. The number to be supplied is,
coats, lined with rabbit fur, 45,000, trousers, ditto, 45,000,
and fur waistcoats, 45,000; 10,000 of each of the foregoing
articles of better description are also to be supplied. The
waterproof clothing contracted for is to consist of 60,000
cloaks with sleeves, 50,000 capes, and 60,000 ox-hide boots,
impervious to snow-water. The greater portion of the
above-mentioned is to be delivered into store by the Ist of
September. •

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE LORD RAGLAN. —A second
meeting took place at the mansion of the Duke of Richmond,
in Portland-place, London, on Tuesday, when it was moved
by the Duke of Bedford, seconded by Lieut.-General Sir
George Brown, and carried unanimously—" That it is the
opinion of this meeting that a freehold estate purchased and
entailed on the title and descendants of Field-Marshal the late
Lord Raglan would be a most desirable memorial of the great
public services and private worth of that nobleman ; and, the
better to carry that object into execution, it is resolved that
subscriptions for the purpose be opened at bankers, army
agents, and any other places that may hereafter be determined
on." The memorial committee intend to purchase for the
proposed estate the land adjoining Raglan Castle, which gave
the deceased lord his title. The subscriptions paid into the
bankers at present amount to £5,111.
A FRENCH STRATAGEM.-At the attack of the Mamelon,
on the 7th, the signal given was six rockets from the Victoria
Redoubt. Under the impression that the besieged would pro-
bably for the future keep a good look-out for demonstrations
of this nature, the French, not many days since, made the
same signal, and accompanied it with the roll of drums in the
trenches towards the front, and words of command, given in
a loud tone. The result justified their anticipations, as the
Russian bugles sounded the assembly, and their troops were
seen crowding into the Malakhoff, ready to repel the supposed
premeditated attack. Immediately the guns and mortars
bearing on the threatened point poured forth their iron hail.
Grape, canister, and shells fell among the besieged " fast and
furious," and only ceased when the fire fromthe enemy showed
that the panic had passed away. On the whole this ruse de
guerre was satisfactory in the extreme to all concerned, except
the sufferers.—Daily News.

THE WELLINGTON G
COLLEE.—For the institution de-
bigned as a permanent memorial of the late duke, the sum of
£109,000 has been already subscribed, but £26,000 more is
wanting to carry out the designs of the committee. The
Queen and Court are going to patronise a grand to—at
which 600 soldiers of the Guards and line regiments are going
to take part in the capture of a miniature Sebastopol—in
Cremorne Gardens, on Monday next, in aid of the fund.
LIFE IN NAPLES.—A correspondent of The Times, describ-
ing excesses committed by the police in Naples, under the
pretext of duty to the state, says—" In fact, the present is a
time in which the most savage and brutal excesses are com-
mitted; the common humanities of life are violated, thei pri-
vacy of families invaded ; men are treated like beasts, mpri,
soned, flogged, and knocked down in the street, whence
they are hurried off to a hospital and thence to prison, and
my great fear is that the people may be goaded into acts
which the more prudent do all in their power t?:prevent.
I sometimes ask myself, too, are the police authorities secret
enemies of the King, attempting to undermine his power ?
If so, they are doing their bidding well."

PARLIAMENTARY INT_ELEI:GENCW.

HOUSE OF LORDS..

TUESDAY.

The New River Company and Trustees of the River Lea
(2) Bill was read a third time, and passed.—The Inverness
Bridge Bill was read a second time.

LIMITED LIABILITY.—Lord STANLEY 'of Alderley moved
the suspension of the. order of the house with -respect to
measures brought up from the lower house -in the case of
the Limited Liability Bill.—Lord REDESDALE opposed the
motion on the ground that no case of urgency had been made
out.—Lord GRANVILLE denied that Lord Redesdale had
given any valid reason for refusing to proceed with the bill,
which was one imperatively called for by-the interests of the
public.—Lord GREY was astonished at the.course pursued by
the government in thus pressing forward, contrary to a deli-
berate resolution of the house, a measure which especially
demanded mature consideration. He did not believe that the
interests of the commercial community called for this bill,
which was brought in to answer the purposes of speculators in
bubble companies. He felt so strongly on this point that he
had returned to town expressly to oppose the bill, which, he
was convinced, would have pernicious effects.—The Marquis
of CIANRICARDE denied that the bill was fraught with the
evils depicted by Lord Grey. He thought that the resolution
of the house might be suspended with advantage in
this case, and he hoped that the house would proceed with
the consideration of the bill, even if it sat till September.—
Lord ST. LEONARDS protested, in the name of the Lords who
sat on that side of the house, against pressing forward a mea-
sure of such immense commercial importance at this advanced
period of the session.—The LORD CHANCELLOR replied, and
their lordships divided on the question of suspending the re-
solution, which was carried by 38 to 14.—Lord STANLEY of
Alderley, in moving the second reading of the bill, said,
that the present state of the law required amendment, because
it tended to drive British capital into other countries where
. similar obstacles to its employment did not exist. • An illus-
tration of this came under his own observation shortly after
he went to the Board of Trade. An application was made to
that board by a large steam navigation company, which wished
to obtain limited liability for the establishment of a commu-
nication between this country and Canada. This application
was resisted with great obstinacy by the directors of Cunard's
line and other existing companies, and the result was that a
charter was refused to the parties. This case convinced him
of the very objectionable state of the law of partnership,
which left the granting or withholding of charters entirely
`to a department of the government that was liable to be
influenced by the representations of persons already in
the trade, and who were naturally opposed to competition.
Ultimately the company to which he referred went to
Canada, where these restrictions did not exist, and obtained
a charter there. Another great objection to the present
state of the law was, that it prevented small capitalists
associating together, and enjoying those advantages which
were derived from the employment of a large capital
Be thought that their lordships would best consult the inte-
rests of the country, if, removing the unnecessary restrictions,
they allowed every individual to employ his capital in the
manner most conducive to his own advantage. He was satis-
fied that the apprehensions expressed in respect to the operation
of the bill were in a great degree merely conjectural, and were
entertained principally by that class of persons who had a
sort of superstitious dread of altering a state of things under
which alone they fancied the country could be prosperous.—
After some farther discussion, in which Earl GREY, Lord
REDESDALE and Lord WYNFORD opposed the motion, the
bill was read a second time.

The Sale of Beer Bill went through committee.—The
Downing-street Public Offices Extension Bill was read a third
time and passed.—The Militia Ballot Suspension Bill passed
through committee.—The reports of amendments to the Dis-
senters' Marriage Bill and the Metropolitan Buildings Bill
were brought up and received.—The Customs Tariff Acts
Amendment and Consolidation Bill, the Customs Laws Con-
solidation Bill, and the Turnpike Acts Continuance (No. 2)
Bill were read a third time and passed.—The Passengers Acts
Amendment Bill and the Island of Tobago Loan Bill passed
through committee.—The Turkish Loan Bill was read a third
time and passed.—The Ordnance Board Bill, the Lunatic Asy-
lums (Ireland) Advances Bill, and the Navigation Works
(Ireland) Bill were read a second time.—The standing order
having been suspended, the Appropriation Bill was brought in
and read a first time.

Their lordships adjourned shortly after nine o'clock.