The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-01 00:00:00

(from tM Correspondent of the Geelong Adtertiser.)

BiLLA/LAT, Nov. 30.—Mat happily yesterday
over quietly. About mid-day a platform was erector=
the Australian fisg—and it ealy—hoisted to attract atten-
tion. Messrs. Black, Keeuedy, and Ilumffray arrived by
the annoyances from Oeeloag immediately before the hour
of meeting. Some time alter their arrival the proceedings
began. Mr. T. Hayes haviag been voted into the chair,
the deputation to town was called on to suite bow mitten
stood there. It was stated that the hands of his Excellency
are so boned that he is comparatively powerless so far as
the extension of the franchise to the diggers, the more per-
fect unlocking of the lands, end the release of the prisoners,
when demanded by the diggers.
Strong hopes, however, are entertaised by the deputation'
that, if a memorial be presented, the prisoners will be im-
mediately released. The appoiatmeat of a liberally °oasts-
tined commission is considered to be an event of impor.
tone*, as the instructions of the commission are to rectify all
that is wrong, as far as there is power vested in them or Si:
Charles.

Mr. Holyoalte has not returned from his mission to the
up-coantry goldfields, but he is at present hourly expected.
The principal speakers were Reynolds, Weeks, Belot,
Brady, Vern, Quin, 0. Black, Wheatley, Murmurs, Ross,
Han dray, Kenaidy, he.
The Right Rev. Bishop Goad and the Bev. Mr. Downie'
came from Melbourne yesterds Bo urgent did they con-
sider their bushier that, I u , they, had travelled
aU the sight previous. After their arrival the Rey. Mr.
Dowding and the Rev. Kr. Smith tried to persuade both the
esseemitese and the meeting to rive up the intended burning
at Ib NINN/Aft bus trishout avail. The amendment
to resolution $ bed seemody • favourer. If I understaad
aright, this deputation mite up at the instigation of the
government, which wished them to use their influence and
prevent the burryinp on of the crisis which soar, now that
the licensee are burned. The number of licenses already
burned is pretty large. The next license-hunting day is the
one on which all eyes are at present centered.
During the earlier portion of the meeting, and for some
time, the military tinder areas were posted in the gully be-
neath the camp, and all the other fora was ander arms is
the camp. The Rey. Mr. Smith and Mr. Kennedy weal
over, at the request of the oemaittee, aid wished the mili-
tary to be withdrawn hem the sight of the meeting, as
then was no real wee he the display, and many felt irri-
tated at such as openireende of power.
The meeting most (*quietly. There was a large num-
ber of persons Napalm* who kept up a rann;ag lire of
small arms. This mestlas dimmed with wily • slight sad-
dest tea horse hem s OM.
A large body of /slim was errand up yesterday main
to the map as Eureka, to midi it, as the night before there
had boss s omelet* rush made as it by the diggers there,
sad stems violence committed.

We have,11;;Ii•;; (for lesa awns at 'erred sada
nfentatiee), des abbeys sea polies le the Mental nen
badly weeded, Mu the nine ef lianday men' sad
eight's rev. it does all lode& Canals Tees& was
wu antreeesr the the neveyease situplles is.es MS,
sad who me se woolly sun es es min Y. 116 k Mut-
ant danger. la mead's to ell this sad nest bs eidei
on senior of the 11th, who hes died ifs gmehet wevai.
Mae, Ohm, bMh Awn NM mu us swim* bat,
though set to the hespitsl. I Ms Mad several mins
of tie 'sign of this geanol. BT tomorrow flier to
kens tie real state of the matter. Mb gives pse-
Wes of ponies s brineekler ; the Mot Is la all
dinning. =Mr the Winne of a straw Mt

Masoviurs MolSOit.,—MaLsovatta, 3.—Tbo
sold asarkst samisen deb% vide fie prise at 3/. 18a. per
oases. The Mares Pia owed at ebe Customs yesterday
with AIM masts, mai 461211. is pia web& It will be
was by flto roam of Geoloor renege he Os tot malt is
Nowak/. that Na wood allarados of do b. Ms
a odds moot of sposilatio, mad hoe
liqt=okiimi ftObam boa taloa oat of biol. TM tetra
mama Tobago prises of lost 21. per team all goal's
yeeleelei.

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH', 1855.

eutotliogrephy. With respect to the general question, it
has been said, that sonstitutlonl government is on its
trial, sad that the eyes of the world are turned upon Eng-
land to see whether onstitutionl government can
earry out its principles. Now. if public men,
at a time when the national interests are at stake
can forget everything bat themselmo, and scramble fir
odes teeing the first plan that is offered to them, I say
that we shall be the laughing-stock of the world, and the
system of which we are so proud will be looked upon as a
sham, in which the public places are to be only filled by the
men who are unprincipled enough to sacrifice their country
in order that they may obtain the emoluments of office.
(Cheers) On ordinary onnaion, I should have addressed.
you on home subjects, but by common consent all our atten-
tion is devoted to one absorbing question. However, on
all the great questions upon which I gave pledges, I adhered
to those pledges, and shall do so again when the state of the
public mind allows of their introduction. (Hear, bear.)
On the questions of the ballot and of church rates I have
always voted consistently with the pledges upon which
sou sent me to parliament. (Hear.) To return to the groat
question of the day. We have been so mach united by the
distressing events of each day, that we have quite forgotten
the history of the origin of the war, and I do think that con-
sidering the phase which our affairs have now adopted, it
is most important that the original considerations and causes
should nut be kept out of sight. There is a small
but influential party in this country, led by Messrs. Cobden
and Bright—men for whom I have the highest respect, and
than whom better does not exist—and this party, taking the
peace line, builds ail their facts on a false huts. Messrs.
Cobden and Bright sedeavour to make it appear that we are
fighting for the Turk.. True, to a certain extent we are; but
the condition of the Turks is not au essential part of the war
question. It is all very well to cache public feeling against
despotism, and to point to number one and two despots
fighting for the third; but the real truth is, that we are
fighting fur the Christian subjects of Turkey. You are
aware that of late years there have been great 'meliorations
of the Turkish laws, and, in masequenee, the Christian
population have made immense progress in teaming Ind
civilisation, while liberal opinions have been rapidly gaining
ground amongst them. The Emperor of Russia saw this
progress with alarm; and his object in sending Prince
fdentehikoff to Constantinople was, if possible, to check the
growing liberal tendencies of the Christian population of
Turkey. He knew that, if the Christians could at say
time reader themselves capable of selt'governmeet,
he might bid adieu to those magnificent pio-
voices, the possession of which would make him
the greatest monarch in the world. Accordingly, Prince
Meotchikoff was sent to Constantinople shortly alter Lord
Aberdeen had been made prime minister—(bear, hear)—
and my impression is, and I shall hold it to my dying day,
that it we had exhibited a held front we should have
been obliged to go to war. (Cheers.) The Emperor
would have withdrawn his claims, and would have been
satisfied with whatever terms were offered to him. But we
d,d not set so, and hence the origin of all our misfortunes.
(Hear, hear.) The British government was compacted of
two parties—the old liberal party, and the party denomi-
nated Peelites, without any considerable following, but
having great ability among its member,. Now then men
held distinctly opposite opinions on Russian domination
from those of Lord J. Russell and Lord Palmerton. In quiet
times government might be carried on with inch a cabinet,
but it would be impossible in any great crisis of national
affairs, because at such times a hall-and-half policy is nevi r
successful. (Cheers.) Instead of telling Russia what Esg.
land would permit, and what she would not, we pursued
half measures, at one time patting her back, at soother
checking her, but never pursuing anything like a bold and
decisive policy. Having detailed the diplomatic proceedings
which preceded the war, aid which he classed as all belong-
ing to a timid policy, the hon. member proceeded. All this
time we bad at Vienna to protect the interests of Turkey a
man of great worth and many estimable qualities, but en-
tirely unequal to such a crisis, but the misfortune through-
out the whole affair has been that our government has
put the right man in the right place, nor
been able to nerifica private, or party or family
considerations to the public interest. (Loud (beers.)
How did we get into this wen ? Our Minister for Foreign
Affairs told us that we were •• drifting" into it. I ark was
that the word of a statesman appointed to guard the desti-
nies of a country.? (Hear, hear.) The war was proelsimed
to have no territorial objects ; every one knew it had not,
but was that a statement to be made to Russia, showing that
she could lose nothing—we, everything? Our government
haring " drifted" thus into war, they made tie plunge et
last without having the slightest idea of what were the ne-
cessary preparatioas. They first seat the troops to Oalli.
poli without having prepared any supply of food, and had it
not bean for the French they would have starved. Then
they sent them to Yarns, and I must mention that
during their first operations 1 was in coconut communication
with the government, and there is scarcely anything which
has happened since that 1 did not foretell, and which might
bars been avoided had my advice been taken. Amongst
other things, I said that Varna was an unhealthy place;
they subsequently consulted another gentleman, who said
it was pestiferous, and yet, despite those warnings, they
sent the troops, and the result was that, in a short time, we
lest an incredible number of men. We are now told that
they were sent to produce a moral effect on the Russians
besieging Silistria, but in my opinion the Turkish powder
and ball had a much stronger " moral effect" than our poor
soldiers, perishing helplessly at Varna. Neat the Crimeas
expedition was determined on. Government tells us
that it was determined on in spring, but, for their
own sakes, I trust that that is not the case.
Were it so, I should el that some people
ought to be seat to Tower-hill, where persons were
formerly sent for crimes for which they now get distin.
unified and rewarded. (Cheers, and cries of "The Garter.")
If the expedition wen contemplated in spring, they should
have taken every preliminary precaution before resorting to
the critical eeperimeat of throwing a British army on
foreign shore. But nothing was done. I saw the magnifi-
cent fleet of men-sf-war and transports, and thought that
England, possessing such resources, ought to be able to
accomplish anything. Although I knew the expedition was
late, I thought it could not possibly fail, and I was still
further confirmed in my opiaion by the victories of Alma
sod 'entwine, which placed the old Eaglish courage on
pinnacle higher than any it had ever before attained.
But after the battle of Alma a delay took place,
and why ? If we advanced at once, it is stated
by the beet military authorities that Sebastopol
must have falls.; the 'pain* was so greet that the
gates would have been thrown open to es; and it is also
Known that the French wished to advance. We could not
because we had made no preparations for the transport of
our wounded; and thus, in conesquenee of the n ghet of
the government, two days were lost—and with them an
opportunity which will occur again. (Hear.) Again,
after our forced march across the country, an extraordinary
delay took place; and the result was, that when, on the
17th October, we ostensibly opened fire, we in reality did
nothing. (Hear, hear.) Having alluded to the want of
roads, of depots, and of transports, Mr. Layard went on:—
Thus the army were left no tents, no necessaries; and while
supplies were rotting in abundance at Eapatoria, the
soldiers were perishing in hundreds at Balaklava.
For the sick we had no hospital, although the French
had prepared one ; and the consequence of this neglect
were dreadful. The medical staff was insufficient, a state
ment of which I will give you a striking proof. There was
a steamer called the Kangaroo, on board of which were
placed 700 sick and wounded men. She was to have sailed
in the afternoon, and • doctor was to have noompaaied the
invalids; one doctor being considered enough for 700
wounded men on ship-beard. I was on board another ves-
sel, and what was my surprise to see the Kangaroo still
alongside, with the flag at half-mast high as a signal of inf-
irm. Our captain went to see what was the matter, and
he found the deck so covered with the dead and dying that
he could scarcely walk the desk. He salted the captain
why he had not season' the Isere emewered that the me-
dical man who had been erased bed sew ems. (Risen,
and a general meanies et boner sel *digestion.) The
medical man who mailed was subsequently toned out, tried
by court-martial, and thquitted ; and de you know why ?
It appeared that the general had told him to be is reediaeea
te go and to present ii self at his tent at • 'Pertain hoer.
Now, whether it was that the dense did sot like to go, I
cannot tall, but lammed of adaa bite the general's teat, be
went up amide and leo at ti sad be was acquitted on
she gees de that be bad strictly fulfilled his orders. (Loud
missal N Ob, eh," and " Name.") What Is worse, he has
been allowed to remain in the MIMIC* sines. Bat the same
meleet pervades all our service. Lord Raglan writes home
that be waste garage, because the hay has not arrived from
England. Osmaive the absurdity of bringing hay from
England, wins in Turkey there are hundreds of miles
covered with the beet horse food. (Rear, hear.) No wonder
that our keeps should perish when porter is kept sailing
backward es t terseard while the men perish, and the trace-
ports are hided is inch a way that medicines are pat at the
bottom and dine shot at the top, m that when the vessel
ealle at &Merl ale has to be wholly unladen in order to
get at the mainise sheets. (Hear, hear) All this
time it &add be reeelleeted that we have in oar
pay WIG lens of truseport ; mad the estimate for that
item alone r 11,1100,000 L (Hear, bear.) Is it sot dreadful
to talk *et set lase *se SOL has been spent ea every man
is whet me ea eI esseibely end pee they been see received
what has bass Weed ? Tbe speaker alluded *lke ditereat
onetime ef private bea•volessw, end pawed a wean Nes-
pilots* es Miss Nightingale, who, he said, had eaeridsed
all Me beautiful hair in eider as night the more seedy
be able to preserve eleadistess amid the terrible wielsked-
uses el the btopital. He site emsalineed Ike sue et a etwp
of tea, *deb wee refused by to eineekeedi ad Is. 3d. tbe
pound, and of height by lbe ems deperlonat at
25., end pressed* :—Now, a pellemes offered*. saber
tail: purply tbe troops with ample Miens, iseksilnig test
kerb las* sad vegetables, a plat * els, wad a gill et
as se a deed pdea, end the delivery le be amend ender a
pseeNy. Ris ins net eutertakeed, red kr weeks be
wee be elbow an answer. At lest, he noshed en =-
ewer is Ike negative ; and, dace *en, he bag
the nielbei by whisk be intended to earn vet al
de dolls is is, that the Whin WI was net Magill
ego. embalm« the* Ow skis will Nee * ale*
tens a day_ end that a tweak nab* et mesh lan
steadily beltway& sad Ihrtrarde add keep up lbe =et
Of elem. be wield aid semi mil est one My and
back the next; sigh blesipi asp do for the goveseasel•
psbet nth fee piens headset but Ids plan appeased me
etlyleadble, and I will eadedsbe to say t hod II
bwmenratb it would have bee. soleasefid. (Ram bail
Ass** proof of what way .dine by primes
Ike Timer feed, in whi*-esliethe of 10,000‘liatras
limed* et sped was lf pints *e-
wit ed@ ern do tbiri Irby piernmet do muck
sere wit Winked asses ? Thus must be sontebbtai:
fault. (Hear, bear.) Ask whose fault it 1, and I

Fou will find it is attributable to the heads of department*.
irst of all, the heads of departments are unacquainted
with details; secondly, they are afraid to undertake
responsibility, and throe whose business it is to see that they
do their duty, when they go wrong do not. punish them.
There was the cue of Dr. Lawson, found guilty of dis-
graceful conduct, and sent away by Lord Raglan. When
he arrived at Scutari, instead of being sent bogie to Eng-
land, be was detained to fill the place of another doctor. Do
you think the Duke of Wellington would allow himself to
be so treated ? (Hear, hear) In the case of Dr. Dickson.
the duke would not have him in spite of the reinstatemeat
of the government ; and when the latter sent a new man,
the duke sent him back also. That is what Lord Raglan
ought to do. Do you think the government dared resist him ;
or if they did, and he appealed to the people of England,
would they not support him ? (Hear, hear.) But we have
now in command men born in another century, who have
spent :all their lives at the clubs, and now at sixty or
seventy years of ego are sent to Luke charge of the army.
But to remedy this state of things it is proposed to send out
commissions, a course whist which I have entreed (my
wet mast protest, because I belies they can lead to no good.
You send out commissions to inquire into the transport and
commissariat. Do you think any officer in the service will
give evidence before these commissions ? No, an unsatis-
factory inquiry will be executed, which will have no effect
but that of screening the offenders. Bat it is impossible
that such a state of things can be permitted to go on much
longer. England finds her army of 54,000 men reduced to
15,000, or 18,000 at the most, some regiments being reduced
to the officers and • corporal ; and it is believed that, with
proper attention to details all this misery might be avoided.
What we want is to recoil these men, and not to lose time in
sending out commissions, which can lead to no peso-
! tidal result,. (Cheers.) But in addition to the commissions,
you have appointed a committee, and upon that
committee I wish to say • few words. I have never ap•
proved of that committee, but voted for it as a vote of
' censure against the government. I believe its inquiries
prosecuted strictly may be dangerous to the country, and
what is more, I believe that it might have been prevented.
(Hear, hear.) I believe that if Lird Palmerston had come
forward, with a vigorous programme of reform, and asked
the bout* to release him from this committee, they would
have done so; but now it is too late, sad it will be impos-
sible to do without it. After one or two further observa-
tions, the hon. member concluded by calling on all who
heard him to sign the petition in favour of Lord Goderieh's
motion.

MesTlitione were passed approving of Mr. Layard'e par.
liamentary conduct, and in (*your of Lord Goderich's
motion, and the proceedings terminated.

HALIFAX ELECTION.

HALIFAX, WIDNRODAT ETININO.
The nomination is fixed for Saturday next, and
will not, according to present app cos, be a matter of
form only. Sir Charles Wood, the new First Lord of the
Admiralty, is threatened with the opposition of Henry
Edwards, Esq., Major in the 2nd West York Yeomanry,
a tory of the old school, and panning an extensive local
Mame. Mr. Edwards has once sat for Halifax with Sir
Charles Wood, and was defeated at the last election by a
very narrow majority. The contest—if it take place—will be
a close one. Sir Charles meets his friends and supporters
tomorrow (Thursday) evening, at the Old Cock Inn, when
be will address them. The bon. baronet has already
issued his address, in which be says :
" Gentlemen,—At a period of no ordinary importance, I
have been called upon to undt nuke the heavy and respon-
sible charge of the direction of the naval resources of this
country.
" If I bad only my own wishes to consult, I should have
remained in an office where I have taken the deepest in-
terest in the administration of our Indian empire.
"I did not, however, consider myself justified in shrink-
ing from any post in which it was thought that whatever
service I could render would be moat usefully given to my
sovereign and to the country.
"My acceptance of the office of First Lord of the Ad-
miralty makes it nece:sary that I should appeal to you,
gentlemen, to pass an opinion upon my conduct by your
votes.

" I am more than usually anxious that by again sending
me as your representative to parliament, you should
mark your approval of the course which I have taken in
pursuance of what I believed to be the clear line of my
public duty.
" I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your Inteful
and obedient servant, " CUARLE2I W 00D.
" Belgr►ve•square, Feb. 26, 18.56."