The Press.
London, England, 1855-09-29 00:00:00

ADMIRAL LYONS' DESPATCH.

The despatch of Admiral Lyons explains why the
navy was inactive during the assault on the Bth, and
emphatically proclaims the unanimity which has pre-
vailed between the English and French naval com•
manders :

Royal Albert, off Sebastopol, Sept."lo.
Of the operations on shore, which have produced the
successful result of the singular and memorable siege of
Sebastopol, her Majesty's Government will be informed
by General Simpson ; but it is my duty to report to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty what has taken
place afloat and on the seaboard under my own observa-
tion.
It bad been arranged by Generals Simpson and Pelissier,
Admiral 13ruat and myself, that precisely at noon on the

SATURDAY,

Bth inst. the allied fleets should open fire upon the Qaar-
antine Batteries that enfiladed the approach of the assault-
ing columns ; bat unfortunately the weather, which had
been fine for some days, changed on the morning of the
attack, end a north-west gale and a heavy sea rendered it
impossible for any vessels to aet upon batteries situated on
the lee shore of this exposed roadstead. It will, however,
appear by the inclosed reports from Captain Wilcox, of the
Odin, and Captain Biel of the Royal Marine Artillery
(whom, as well as the junior officers mentioned by them,
I beg leave particularly to recommend to the favorable con•
sideration of their lordships), that the mortar-vessels at-
tached to the fleets kept up a very effective fire from their
position in the Bay of Strelitzka.

As the day closed, things in the harbour seemed to be in
the same state as they were in the morning, but during
the night several heavy explosions were heard, and at dawn
we observed that the fortifications on the south side were
in flames, and that the six remaining ships of the line had
been sunk at their moorings, leaving afloat no more of the
late Russian Black Sea fleet than two dismasted corvettes
and nine steamers, most of which are very small.
Soon afterwards the enemy were seen retreating across
the newly-constructed bridge, until the smith side of the
harbour, on which the naval and military arsenals, the
public buildings, and the town of Sebastopol are situated,
appeared to be completely evacuated, and then the southern
portion of the bridge was hauled over to the north shore.
It is now my pleasing duty to render justice to the admi-
rable conduct of all whom I have had the honour and
happiness to command during the last nine mouths of
this arduous struggle, and whose duties 1 shared in before,
for although, with the exception of the naval brigade in the
camp, whose gallant bearing from the beginning under the
command of Sir Stephen Lushington, has been beyond all
praise, and never more so than during the last two
bombardments under the command of the Hon. Captain
Keppel, it has not fallen to the lot of the navy on this
occasion to perform distinguished deeds of arms such as
those of their gallant brethren in the army ; still, whilst
straining every nerve, night and day, under very trying
circumstances, to supply the means for carrying un the
siege, in the glory of which they could not Owe, the
generous cheer of encouragement, unalloyed by envy, has
always been heartily given in the day of triumph ; nor
have sympathy and assistance ever bean wanting in the
hour of distress and suffering; the same sentiments have
pervaded all ranks—captains, officers, seamen, and marines
all agreeing with each other in following, as I believe I
have said once before, the excellent example set them by
my able second in command and coadjutor Rear-Admiral
Houston Stewart.

Perhaps in closing this letter I may be permitted to
indulge in the expression of the gratification I feel in
reflecting that under all the circumstances to which it
relates, my gallant colleague, Vice-Admiral Bruat, and
have gone heart and hand together, and that the most per-
fect understanding and hearty co-operation iu the great
cause of humanity in which we are all engaged, have
invariably prevailed throughout both fleets.—l am, &c.,

(Signed) EDMUND LYONS,
Rear-Admiral andUommander-in•Chief.

THE BALTIC FLEET.
(From our Own Correspondent.)

NARGEN, Sept. 18.
A HOMEWARD move is being made by the block-ships,
transports, and gun boats. The weather is becoming
daily more unsettled; and, alas, I fear that our cam-
paign in these seas is at an end. Whether we, or
rather our commanders, are deserving of the severe
criticisms we read in the English papers, I will not
venture to argue ; I can only say in extenuation of
them that they were not backed by foresight at home,
or could they perhaps be expected to meet with a
result such as occurred at Sweaborg. All is quiet up
here, and we have no news from the Gulf of Bothnia,
Nile and a small squadron have been destroying
merchant vessels in the neighbourhood of Biorko.
Troops that were in the neighbourhood retired on
the approach of the ships. Russian fleet in Cron-
stadt had not again shown their noses. Cornwallis
has sailed to-day for England.

ALDERSHOTT CAMP is to be the scene of one of the
grandest military balls of the present year. It is,
we hear, fixed for Tuesday week, at the Royal Camp
Club-house. Every officer that can be spared from
duty will attend, and invitations are already despatched
to the ladies of those counties which are represented
by the respective militia regiments at the camp.
Preparations are being made for upwards of one
thousand visitors.

THE VISIT OF H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
to Liverpool is fixed for the oth proximo. Owing to
the successes of the allied armies in the Crimea, the
day of his Royal Highness's visit will be kept as a
holiday in all the public departments under the
council, ond the Town-hall and public buildings will
be illuminated. Public amusements will be provided
at the corporate expense, and bonfires lighted in the
suburbs. In the evening the mayor will give a grand
banquet to the Duke, after which a ball will be held
in the Town-hall.
GENERALS DE AP/AARON, NIEL, AND BOSQUET huge
been raised to the dignity of Grand Crosses in the
Legion of Honour,

SEPT. 29, 1855.

Sorcign (~orrEsponblatt.

FitwriFora, September 23.
A nREAD riot took place a few days ago, owing to the
conduct of a Frankfort banker. The harvest in Ger-
many has been far below average, and, having already
affected prices, the prospect of speedy gain induced
M. de B. to buy up large quantities of corn from the
neighbouring districts. He held his stock of grain
close, and the market went up to a famine price.
Thereupon the poor people, having discovered the
reason, proceeded to inflict summary punishment on
the speculator; and the worthy, having first got
soundly kicked by a Prussian officer for personal
misconduct, fled from his corn granaries to some
hidden retreat belonging to the robbers of the Rhine
of a former day. There is serious apprehension of a
general scarcity, that will be most grievous to Central
Germany—neither will the probably successful vin-
tage serve to counteract the disastrous consequences.
On all sides are heard rejoicings for the fall of
Sebastopol, the German people being generally anti-
Russian, in despite of the princes—and yet they are
still more governed by the prejudices of an anti-
Gallic mania, unmeasured and uncompromising. It
is on this account that they speak with asperity of
England and the English, whom they claim as a
kindred race, for the Anglo-Frank alliance, and they
point to the statements of Le Nord in proof of the
justice of their views. The Russian journal is can-
did in the expression of its policies. It does not
attempt to conceal the object of desire, which is to
league, ultimately, with France and the Northern
kingdoms, in counteraction against Germany and
England, and to draw Austria within the meshes of a
Russo-Gallic treaty. Napoleon and Alexander I. had
intentions at ono time nearly similar. The French
Emperor had penetrated the Russian designs upon
Constantinople, and would have made terms, had not
the alliance of the Northern powers with England
forced him into an aggression of Russia that broukht
about his downfall. Le Nord shall speak for itself :
L'feuvre que l'alliance Anglo-Franeaise s'etait donne la
mission d'uccomplir a ete condaite a bon fin. La done
Ruase de la :tier Noire n'existe plus, et la partie and de Se-
vastopol, heroiquementattaquee, mais aussi heroiquement
defendue, est nne mine ensanglantee, sur laquelle fiottent
l'heure qu'il est les etendards de France et de l'Angle-
terre. Ces deux puissances peuvent maiutenant songer a
tenir leur promesse. lien ne s'oppose done ace qu'elles
rappellent dans la mere patrie leurs armies, qui, avec des
fortunes plus on moins heureuses, ont cependant amens
un grand resultat. Nous croyons que la France, tonjours
fiere de la gloire de sea enfants, male aussi toujours jalouse
comrne une mere d'epargner l'effusion de leur sang, ne
demanderait pas mieux do profiler de l'occasion, et de
tendre une main amie a des adversaries dignes d'elle.
Cette conclusion d'une paix, entre-t-elle an mime degre
dana les calculs de l'Angleterre? La reside toute la dif-
ficulte.

Nous croyons que dans la position des choses la paiiest
desirable, eat acceptable, est honorable pour toutes les
parties. La France accederait—rAngleterre s'opposera
certainement. . . . La position que l'Angleterre s'est faite
en Europe n'est plus tenable. 'rant qu'elle apu abuser le
monde our le veritable etat de sea forces, elle a peso de
tout son poids sur les Cabinets et sur les peuples. Mais
aujourd'hui ce role ne lui eat plus promis La pain
conclue, les anciens rapporte de la France avec lee pule-
sances du Nord se renoueraient tout naturellement. La
France rentrerait dans ses vieilles alliances avec la Russie,
l'Autriche, et la Prusae. Alors l'Angleterre, abandonnee
sa tatalite, se trouverait livree a son isclement et a la
haine que ses perfidies ont soulevees dans toutes les cours
et chez tons laa peuples.
In the first place, it must be remarked that the
acknowledgment of defeat is plenary and unmis-
takeable. It is equally true that Sebastopol has been
" heroiquement defendue "—Sir George Brown has
honestly admitted that the Russian artillery is deci-
dedly superior to that of France and England, and
the obstinacy of Russian resistance demands the
respect of the most bitter opponent. But to dispa-
rage the personal prowess of the English troops,
which is the usual practice of Le Nord, with a view
to create an international jealousy by exalting the
French soldiers at English expense, does not come
within the range of honest means of journalistic war-
fare, and is the more absurd because the motive is
as evident as the attempt is futile. It is not worthy
the ability which the Nord usually displays. Besides,
the peculiar qualities of " the red line" are well
understood by the Russians themselves, and caused
such a disposition of their troops that the English
were always encountered by fresh battalions—no
Russian regiment was brought up a second time to
attack the English hand to hand. Russian states-
men may rest assured that the European position of
England is more prominent and fixed than ever. Her
army has not been beaten, and has been victorious,
even wl:en opposed by seven to one at Inkermann.
The Briish soldiers had triumphant enemies at home
only. A coalition of administrative imbecilities, in-
tent on preserving place, was more fatal than the
Russitai artillery, and the correction of the evil was

THE PRESS.

slow of application from the sluggish movements
that of necessity impede the executive operations of
a representative government. Neither was this all of
which the indomitable soldiers of England had to
complain. A false idea of humanity went directly to
strengthen the enemy and to prolong the contest ; and
amicable relations, if not closer connections, may
sometimes cause a forgetfulness of what is due to
one's country. The following letter may justify the
observation :

Odessa.
Mon cher D.,—Soyez sans crainte, et ne vous iuquietez
pas ni pour nous•memes ni pour nos affaires, puisqu'il
nous a bien cern& que a Ivo la plus graude assu•
rance de sea amis en Angleterre que la ville et les mar-
chandises etaient en parti►ite sure* et que les operations
contre la vine n'etaient pas inclues dana le programme de
la guerre. Ainsi je vous engage d'etre tranquille pour ce
qui nous regarde. Les entreprises commeroiales du debars
sont suspeudues, mais en &Mans nous faisons asaez beau
jen, et paye cherement pour ses provisions. Graces
a l'honnetete des amis Anglais les contrats pour le departe-
ment munitionaire de l'armee ont passe entre nos mama.
—Tout a vous,

NATHANA.EL L-•-.

➢f. D. It—berg—, Francfort.•
The Judaic French is worthy of the matter. Odessa
has been spared according to agreement. It served
as a point for the gathering of the " corps d'armees."
and for provisioning the besieged in Sebastopol.
Soldiers and provisions arrived constantly and safely,
the property of " les amis " escaped destruction, and
Sebastopol was recruited and victualled.

But the anxiety of Le Nord for instant pence be-
trays a consciousness of the danger that a prolonga-
tion of the war must bring to the existing and
territorial division of Europe. First, the allies are
summoned to perform a promise never given—to
make peace upon the fall of Sebastopol ; then it is
asserted that France is willing to make terms with
Russia, and that England alone holds back. Neither
of the positions are either true or tenable. Equally
incorrect is the statement that Prussia, under a future
king, would join in a league against England, and
that France, breaking the " entente cordiale," would
resume that ancient hostility which a common inte-
rest, a common glory in arms, and a mutual respect
and regard have so happily extinguished. The wish
of Le Nord is father to more than the thought; but
Russia and her organ may be satisfied that England,
France, Germany, and the Scandinavian kingdoms
axe resolute in their determination to deprive the
great Sclavonic nation of the power to embroil the
peace of Europe. The progress of civilisation is not
to be dependent on the caprice of Russia.
J. E. L.

ortign 110 st °lonia' lintelligcnte.