The Press.
London, England, 1854-06-03 00:00:00

I

518

been received at the Admiralty from Sir C. Napier,
which was dated " Mingo Bay, at the entauce of the
Gulf of Finland, 23rd May," and which gave an
account of a gallant exploit that bad been performed
by the Arrogant, a frigate, and a small steam. vessel
under the command of Captain Hall, called the
Hecla, on the 23rd of May. These ships heard of
three large Russian merchantmen being at anchor
in an inlet fully ten miles inland, and under the fire
of a fortress of considerable strength, besides a fire
of musketry from a large force of troops on land,
Captain Hall, in defiance of the fire both of the
fortress and musketry, succeeded in getting inland,
and in a most gallant manner cut out the only
Russian merchantman he could find there, which he
carried back to the fleet in triumph. Sir C. Napier
remarked that this exploit was worthy of the best
time of our naval history. (Cheers.) He might add
that the fleet was in the best order and condition.
At the time the despatch left, the French fleet had
not yet joined, but it was expeeted to do so in about
five or six days, so that by this time it must have
joined the British squadron. (Cheers.)

In answer to further questions, the CueNcELLoa
of the EXCHEQUER said that it was probable that in
a future session he should introduce a bill subjecting
corporation property to a tax equivalent to a sue-
cession tax ; and Mr. S. HERBERT that regimental
dresses were now under the special attention of the
Commander-in-Chief, while Lord Raglan was pre-
paring for the troops in the Haat an accoutrement
suited to the climate and the circumstances.

The Sugar Dutiee Bill passed through committee.
EXCISE DUTIES BILL.

This was read a third time, after a protest from
Mr. J. O'Corit:Em. against drawbacks, followed by a
long discussion, in the course of which two motions
for adjournment of the debate were negatived upon
division.
The house having gone into committee on the
Public Revenue, and Consolidated Fund Charges
_ . . .

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained the
changes which the measure was designed to effect in
the system of national account-keeping. These con-
sisted in bringing upon the votes and under the
control of Parliament a number of charges heretofore
defrayed out of the gross receipts before they reached
the Treasury. The chief items of this class came
underthe charges for collecting the revenue, amount-
ing to nearly four millions, and which would hence-
forth be regularly inciu led in the estimates and
subjected to revision by the house. Certain heredi
tary pensions granted to individuals and their fami-
lies in former periods it was proposed to buy up and
extinguish. Some other charges hitherto placed
upon the Consolidated Fund would also be removed,
and included among the votes. Among these Mr.
Gladstone indicated the collateral expense (not com-
prising judges' salaries) of the various law courts,
and enumerated the principle that extreme caution
should be used in assigning any item of charge to
the Consolidated Fund, when it was removed both
from the immediate control of the Treasury and the
periodical revision of Parliament.
After some remarks from Mr. Hume, Mr. Glynn,
Mr. Williams, Mr. Hadfield, and other members, the
bill passed through committee.

The Merchant Shipping Bill was committed
pro form 4.
The Juror and Juries' Bill was read a second time,
on the motion of Mr. Whiteside, after some remarks
from the Attorney and Solicitor General, who ap
proved its principle, and other members.

Lord PAL MERSTON introduced a bill to render more
effectual the police in counties and boroughs in
England and Wales.
The house adjourned at ten minutes to twelve.
Both houses adjourned last night over the Whit-
suntide holidays—the Peers until Friday and the
Commons to Thursday next.

THE AFFAIR AT HANGO HEAD.

Last night's Gazette contains the official despatches
describing the details of the dashing affair in which
the Arrogant and Heela were engaged. Sir C.
Napier, in commuuieating the event to the Admiralty,
characterises it as a " smart operation," and assigns
great credit to Captains Yelverton and Hall for their
perseverance and gallantry in threading up a narrow
and intricate navigation, with the result of " show-
ing the enemy that they are not safe even in their
country towns." The action came off on the 19th
inst. at Ekneea, twelve miles in the interior of the

THE PRESS.

country. Captain Yelverton gives the following par-
ticulars :

" I ascertained from a pilot that three large Russian
loaded merchant•ships were st Ekuess, eight miles to the
northward. I lost no time in proceeding there ; but did
not expect the enemy so well prepared to receive me.
Owing to the Heela's light draught of water she led the
way ; a task not easy to perform in a narrow and intricate
passage, exposed as she was to the first of the enemy's
tire.

" In addition to afield battery of five guns (two of which
I dismounted) and one mortar, they had erected a strong
battery which they supplied very efficiently. Captain Hall
succeeded in dismounting and bringing off three of the
guns. The engagement lasted longer than I expected, as
they returned to their guns twice in the midst of our fire.
and were only compelled to leave them when their guns
were destroyed by our shot.
" On reaching the anchorage of Ekness I found that two
of the merchantmen were aground, but Captain Hall brought
out one under the fire of a battery, which my draught of
water would not allow me to near sufficiently to com-
pletely destroy. I most carefully avoided firing one shot
in or near• the town of Ekness, directing the whole of the
fire of the guns exclusively to the batteries and troops at-
tacking us, which consisted, in addition to the brigade of
Horse Artillery, of a considerable body of cavalry and in-
fantry, moving abreast of the ship as she advanced,
"I cannot give sufficient credit to Captain Hall for the
aasistance he rendered me on this as on all occasions since
he has been under my orders; the admirable way in which
be went in and brought out his prize, under a galling Ire
from the enemy, deserves the greatest praise."
The casualties reported to have occurred in the
Arrogant are two killed and four wounded. Recta,
one killed and four wounded, including Captain Hall
and the first lieutenant. .

An Austrian courier, bearing a message equivalent
to an ultimatum, summoning the Czar to evacuate
the principalities, was expected to leave Vienna for
St. Petersburg yesterday, the 2nd instant.
It is stated that at Vienna on the 27th there was
a conference of several hours between the Duke of
Coburg, the Earl of Westmoreland, the Baron de
Bourqueney, the Turkish Ambassador, the Austrian
Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Interior, and
Count Grunn, the first aide-de-camp of the Emperor
of Austria.

M. Gortschakoff, Russian Minister at Stuttgard, is
unexpectedly recalled to St. Petersburg. It is
thought that he is to be charged with a mission to
the Courts of Berlin and Vienna. His pacific opi.
nions are generally known,
With the exception of Moscow, the Russian
troops have been withdrawn from all the garrison
towns.

A telegraphic despatch sent yesterday from Vienna
mentions that two English and one French division
have left pallipoli for Varna. Two French and one
English division will shortly follow.
Omer Pacha, Marshal St. Arnaud, and Lord
Raglan reviewed the Turkish army on the 24th at
Schumla. Marshal St. Arnaud made a flattering
speech, to the effect that he was happy to serve with
such troops against the Russians.

The Danish Government has prohibited a public
meeting at Ringsted, to celebrate the fifth anniver-
sary of the constitution, at which an address to the
King, praying the dismissal of Ministers, was to have
been proposed.

The proceedings relative to the Archbishop of
Fribourg have been brought to a conclusion by a
decree entirely rejecting his complaint, but direct-
ing the removal of the arrests, and liberating the
prelate.

The French Assembly has granted 1,216,000 francs
for the establishment of additional telegraphic lines.

Letters from Athens state that the greatest dismay
prevailed among the partisans of Russia at the occupation
of the country by an Anglo-French force. The Queen, in
particular, was excited to a pitch of frenzy that made her
husband fear that her mind was disordered. She is said
to have repeatedly declared that if the occupation took
place she would that moment mount on horseback, place
herself at the head of the Greek army, and lead them across
the frontiers and rouse the population to arms. Her
Majesty's baggage had been ordered to be prepared, and
everythihg portended her speedy departure. At length she
yielded to the prayers, entreaties, and even, it is said, the
tears of the King, who conjured her not to take so reckless
a step ; and in his supplications be was powerfully aided
by the ladies in waiting and the servants of the palace."

The Washington arrived at Southampton yesterday
with New York dates to the 20th ult. The President
had sent a message to Congress containing all the
correspondence with France and England in reiy
tion to the rights of neutrals. He expresses his satis
faction, but regrets that arrangement is not made
permanent instead of temporary.

SATURDAY,

Six French men-of-war had arrived h
which caused much excitement : itwas thought
that France meaut to protect Cuba from the United
States.

3rt!ant.

In a letter from Dublin of Thursday evening it is
stated that an order had been received at the Castle
commanding Major Ponsonby, Private Secretary to
the Lord Lieutenant, and several of his excellency's
aides-de-camp, who hcid commissions in the Guards,
to join their respective corps immediately. It is
asserted that 25,000 additional men are to be sent as
soon as possible to the seat of war, the Guards being
the first on the roll.

THE NEW ItOMAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY will COM.
mence its first session on the 3rd of November next.
The Rev. Dr. Newman will be inducted to the office
of rector at the Roman Catholic metropolitan church
in Dublin to-morrow (Sunday), the 4th inst.
COLONEL SAMUEL WHITE, of Killakee, was seized
with apoplexy on Sunday last while sitting at table
with his family, And, though assistance was promptly
on the spot, he only lingered a few hours. The
deceased represented the county of Leitrim for several
years in Parliament, in which representation he suc-
ceeded his father, the late Luke White, Esq. He was
possessed of large landed property in the county of
Leitrim, and has left no issue. In early life Colonel
White saw much active service, and was present at
moat of the victories obtained by the Duke of Wel-
lington.
A N OTHER EXTENSIVE FLAX-MILL was destroyed by
firs in Belfast yesterday week. The edifice belonged
to Mr. Du in, and was worth, with its contents, 6,000/.
A great number of workpeople will be temporarily
thrown out of employment by the catastrophe.

THE WHOLE SILK CROP IN VALENCIA has been lost
this year, the value being estimated at 40 millions of
reels. The Spanish silk manufacturers intend to
hold a meeting, with the object of petitioning the
Queen to decree the free importation of foreign silk
for a year, in order to enable them to go on with their
undertakings.
BY • DESTRUCTIVE FIRE which broke out on Monday,
the well-known printing establishment of Messrs.
liallantyne, W Paul's-walk, Edinburgh, was exten-
sively damaged. Among other publications which
have fallen a prey to the flames were the entire
sheets of the present year's issue of the Edinburgh
Directory. Several valuable works belonging to
London publishers were also consumed, and much
inconvenience, as well as pecuniary loss, must be
the result.

A FraE, accompanied with great destruction of
property, broke out on Sunday morning at the Nor.
with Arms Tavern on Snow-hill. Next door was an
oil warehouse filled with inflammable materials, which
were with great exertion prevented from catching
fire. The whole house above the basement floor of
the Norwich Arms was consumed, and the inmates
even saved their lives with much difficulty and risk.

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE.
Tuesday, May 30.
BANKRUPTS.--Jons NICHOLAS SMITH, Jewry-street, Aid.
gate, provision merchant—Wm. HEADY WEARN, Southses,
Hampshire, grocer—HENßY CL►RIDGE, Soulderu, Oxfordshire,
tea dealer-JOHN LLOYD BULLOCK, Battersea, burrey, manufac.
luring chennist—GEottoe WILLIAM MERINoTON, Edgware-road,
draper Huou LAPRAIS, Harrison-street, Gray ipitai-road,
draper—JosEcu LAKIN, Crawford-street, Marylebone, linen.
draper—Joss Lawasscit °ADD, Whitechapel-road, draper—
THOMAS ADKINS, Beds orth, Warwickshire, grocer—DAVlD
H►LSWORTI, Liverpool, woollen draper —Joss HADFIELD,
Dukiniteld, Cheshire, grocer—RICHARD °RIDDELL and RICHARD
LUBCOMBE, Taviatock, Devonshire, wholesale grocers.
SCOTCH SEMUESTRATIONS.— Rosy. WANDA', Montrose,
draper—ALEXANDER Stuesos, Iliseduff, Banffshire, merchant,—
ALEXANDER JAMIENON, Aberdeen, tea merchant—RlCHAßD
CURTIS, Edinburgh, musical instrument maker—Owss JONES
ROWLAND, Dundee, manufacturer.

Friday, June 2.
BANKRUPTS.—IttcHARL GEoROE PRENTICE, Pimlico, grocer
—EDWARD PATESO24, Preatut, draper and hosier—JOSEPH
WORMALD, Glossop, Derby, shoenlaker—JAMES PALMER SNAP-
curt, Preston Pluoknsu., Sonierreteltire, wool-dealer—JAnrs
HOWARD, Levenshulme, near :Manchester, grocer— GEOROE
EDMUND SMUTTLEWORTII, MARK HoDUSON SIICTTLEWORTII, and
GZOROC EDMUND SHUTTLES/vial:l, Poultry, auctioneers—
Onoacus Jaws* Roursos, Wstwiek, brassfounder-
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. Gronos ROBERTSON,
Plains of Thornton, near (Hamm* Forfarshire, contractor—
JOHN U RE and SON, Glasgow ,calentlerers— DAr io BA I: E, nurse,
merchant—ALtxAnnsit Putinn, Ardrialiaig, Argyllshire, inn-
keeper.

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