The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-22 00:00:00

TO TS. EDITOR OF THE lELPAISIL

Sia,—May I ask the favour of your inserting the
enclosed letter, a oopy of which I have felt it my duty to
send to the Tina I—l am, &c., RANELAGH.
7, New Barlingtenetreet, Feb. 21.

Sir,—This time last year you permitted me to reply to
your objection. to the Brighton review. With that exception
I have never troubled either the public or yourself, although
I have not taken an inactive part in the volunteer move-
ment.
May I once more ask the favour of your inserting this
letter?
The g iod fortune attending that review, coupled with my
belief that without such °consols the movement would be-
come languid, and the express wish of • large portion of the
force, induced me to propose a repetition this year.
This proposal was accepted with the utmost favour. many
commandants of corps who last year held aloof giving their
adhesion, either from change in their own convictions, or in
accordance with the wishes of their respective Corp.
My purpose, therefore, as regards the review has been
achieved, and it will take place.
A difference of opinion, however, has occurred in the
general discussion on one point.
A new impression, at variance with an unanimous resolu-
tion of 1860, arose amongst a portion of the commaodants,
that the evolutions in • volunteer review would be best
conducted by a military officer.
On the contrary, other commandants, a large number of
the ioditidus/ members of corps. and myself, held that •
voluntary movement was best left to its own energies, and
that opportunity of practice, for officers of every grid*, is
second only io importance to the training of the men.
I respectfully retain that opinion, and I believe those who
thought with me are unaltered in theirs.
As the discussion proceeded in somewhat varying results
ea to divisions, I do not disguise from myself that three who
differed from me mingled with the maintenance ci their
principle no small indisposition from the possibility that I
might be invited to take the command.
Ie this condition of things, the review being ?eternised
upon, the mode of proceeding being the only open question,
I applied with more than adequate sanction-for the permit-
ion of the Secretary of State for War, and awaited his
reply.
It may possibly be thought theta stricter courtesy, on the
part of Sir G. C. Lewis, would not have permitted MO to
learn his determination from • paragraph in Wednesday's
Wag, which announced that he- had appointed Lord Clyde
to command.
This announcement brings matters to a point. If I, and
those who think with me, act upon ow opinions, a nines
sod hurtful disunion would be created in the force, sad sex
very object in the review defeated.
In such • condition of this" putting the welfare ei the
movement above ell coosidevation, whether of opinion or •
personal kind, I do riot hesitate for • moment.
On Easter Monday there will be no volunteer more may
than myself to assist, to the exteot ci his ability in awry-
ing out the evolutions, under the wet distinguished
of the day, himself • volunteer, and I respectfully air tirot
who, like myself, still question the policy of the step, to be
governed by_ the same seine of ditty.
May I further, that if my experience of the gowns-
fel arrangements of the lest year can be of service to the
Secretary of State, or any other unaccustomed person to
whom tiey may be deputed this year, it will be heartily
tendered.—l am, de., RANELAGIi.

COTTON SUPPLY AND THE INDIAN

TARIFF.