The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-28 00:00:00

THE CONFEDERATE PRIVATEER KAPPA•
BANNOCK.

The most searching investigation has been made
by the Lords of the Admiralty into all the circumstances
attending the equipment, fitting out, and departure from the
Nom of the Confederate privateer ff.aphannock, formerly
her Majesty's screw gun-vessel Victor, 6, 350-horse power,
attached to the Chatham Steam Reserve Squadron. The I
ccrrerpondenoe which has taken place between the offl-
ends of the dockyards and the Board of Admiralty 1
has been conducted, and is still being carried on, with
the greatest possible eseresy, but &iris; the hat few
days some important circumstances have become known
with respect to the transaction. The result of the investi-
gation which has taken place has been, it ie maid, to exonerate
the officials at Chatham dockyard from having been coe-
seated with the illegal prooeedinp, ea their responsibility
waned the moment that vessel was sold out of the steam
reserve and the order was received from the Admiralty for
her to pave into the hands of the pasties by whom she wee
purchased. From inquiries since instituted it would seem
that the Victor was purchased by a Loodon firm, indium
as would now appear, under an assumed name, and that
several of the government mechanics, if not under
the express orders, at all events with the cognisance, of oar-
taia of the official,, were illegally allowed to be employed in
assisting to equip the vessel, several of the number, con-
nected, it is asserted, chiefly with the engineer department,
ing from Sheerness dockyard to Calais on board the
Wcteemerdwhen she escaped from the Note. The whole of the
hands who were proved to have taken any part in the
breech of the neutrality laws by assisting in the equip-
ment of the Rappahannock, es well as the men who pro-
ceeded to Calais with that vessel, have been diambeed
from Sheerness dockyard, ostensibly for being absent from
their duty without leave, but in reality for the part they
were proved to have taken in the matter. The conduct
of certain of the dockyard officials, who, there is reason
to believe, allowed themselves to become implicated
in the fitting out of the Victor after else had ceased to be a
government vessel, is now under the oonsideratima of the
Admiralty, and a rumour was current at Chatham yester-
day that two of the number, both of whom hold responsible
offices in Sheerness dockyard, would be called on to resign
their appointments to avoid their dismiesel from bar
Majesty's maim. With regard to the other meals at-
tached to the Chatham Steam Reserve which are ordered
to be sold out of the service, such precautions are directed
to be taken that no apprehension need be entertained of
any of the number falling into the hands of pumas who
will use them sou to again violate the neutrality laws.

THE CoNvior Tovanzy.—Sir George Grey has
ordered a medical inquiry into the Ante of mind of Townley,
the murderer of Wu Goadwim

A letter from Valparaiso, in a New York paper,
lays that "the famous contractor and capitalist, Mr.
Breasey,who has constructed nearly all the railways In Spain
and India, has sent an agent to Chile—a Mr. Bayles—with
instructions to tender for all the railroads the government
of Chile may desire to contract for, and guarantees an in-
terest of six per cent. per annum on all the capital invested.
The agent, Mr. Bayles, is now on • tour of inspection,
' examining the southern provinces as to localities. A vei-
-1 vilege has been asked for to construct branch lines to the
Central Railroad, which will connect the main line with
several suburbs mast of the capital."
MR. GIPSON'S ANNUAL VISIT TO ASHTON. —We
are glad to announce that our worthy representative. Mr.
Milner Gibson, will visit his constituents is the orange of
the week commencing Jae. 17. The right hon. patio.
man will be the guest of Mr. Hugh Maven, of Groby
Lodge.—Ashron and Stalybrielge Reporter.
THE BISHOP or LONDON'S FITND.-1t is intended
shortly altos the commencement of the new year to make
• vigorous effort to strengthen this fund, which was set oa
foot some time ago with a view to raise a million sterling
during the next tea years for the purpose of meeting the
spiritual destitution which sante M the metropolitan dio-
cese. The population of the diocese is now steely 3,000,000,
sad it is iocrissaing anstally by 44,000. There are in the me-
tropolis three wishes mob with • population of 31,000, and
only one church ; 11 with a of between 20,000
and *000; 14 with • ' of between 14,000 and
20,003; and 54 with a populating of between 10,000 and
15,000. Them are 28 large parishes with as aggregate papa
kilos of 600,00, and with only one clergymen I. -6.000
souls. During the last seven years 300,000 souls have beau
added to the population. The bishop coosiders that ben
churches an required every year to meet the wants of
the growing population. The appeal which was made
is June kit has already produced • sum of nearly
100,0001., of which 28,9001. has been actually paid.
The bishop states that he waste 100 additional clergy-
men and 100 additional scripture readers to work in
the most destitute parts of the metropolis, and of thole be
has obtained 25 additional clergymen and 15 additional
scripture readers. Many liberal subeeriptioos have already
been promised, among them being those of the Atka of
Bedford. 10,0001.; the Marquis of Westminster, 10,0001;
Mr. Charles Monism, 5,000/4 the Bishop of London,
2,0001. ; the Firs of Derby, 1,0001. ; Lord Ebury, 1,0001.;
Mr, B. B. °abbe% 1,0004; the Duke of Devonshire, 1,0001.;
Mr. It. Baryon, M.P., 1,0001.; Messrs. Baring and Co.,
1.0001.; Messrs. Truman, Hanbary, and Buxton, 1,0001.;
the Marquis of Bristol, 1,0001.• the Hari of Ehloo, 1,0001.;
the Earl Howe, 5001.; the Eared Hanowby, 500/. • Masan.
Coate, KW. • Messrs. Gosling. 5001. ' • Messrs. 04estake,
Moore, end do., 5001. Among the ouogregations who have
forwarded subscriptions are those of St. Matthew's, Sarin.
eardrum ; St. Paul's, Walworth ; Christ Church, St.
Giles's ; fit Jame's. Claptoa ; All Hallows, London-wall ;
St. Bartholomew's, Bydeaharn ; St. Michael's, Paddington;
St. James's, Paddington ; Frier° Barnet, ',Mobley, and
Tottenham.
GREEK FINANCE. —With reference to a letter from
the Honorary Secretary of the Philhellenic Committee in
Loudon which appeared in the Tines of the 2nd init. pur-
porting to express the views and intentions of the grog's
government in the matter of the old loses of 1824-5, oo the
authority of a recent letter widreseril to Mr. Stefano@
Xenia by some one holding "a high official position" in
Athena B. looidee, the Greek Coesul•Geoeral at Loudon,
is instructed to declare that "the government of his Ma-
jesty Ring George has not yet authorised anyone, either
I 0816111 y or privately, to express any opieioe OD this sub-
; feet; isoasequeotly the oommunieetioe shove alluded to,
and others which may have appeared in public prints, are
i Wally destitute of foundation or authority on behalf of his
llelleeis Majesty's goverument."

irsosavi
TCFSDAT. 011 Xnarizia WIDIORIMAT.
B.S. to N.L. a pie, 00•914. N.E. to N.W . strong,
WOW MOW. with snow.
tilt to B.W. and W., WI:KIM SK.toS. W. and N.W.,
strong. rainy. a pie, some snow.
As above, some mow, Ilund.E. S.S.w to N.W..
with rain. strong, some fall.
B.E. to N,E., strong t 3 800113 50:f. N.E. to N.W., straw
a pit some mow.
As next above, with EASTERN. As next above.
mow.