The Press.
London, England, 1853-11-05 00:00:00

THE PRESS'

Lord of the Admiralty, he sent for the secretary, explicitly
told him that the dockyard regulations must not be interfered
with, and that the circular of 1517 must be strictly adhered
to. Those directions the secretary promised should Le at-
tended to strictly, and that he would on all occasions consult
with the surveyor before he made appointments. ( Heat.)
It had been stated that the Duke of Northumberland
abandoned the whole of the civil patronage to the secretary.
Such was not the fact; all the minor appointments in the
dockyards had been always with the First Secretary.
The only patronage which the duke really gave up was
the appointment of clerks at the Admiralty and Somerset•
house, mid enly one such vacancy occurred during his
administration. With regard to Ridgeway. an official letter
was written to Captain Richards, acquainting him that
Ridgeway was may appointed to act un probation, and if
found to be incompetent he was to be reported to the •
Admiralty, and he should lie immediately reduced to his
former rating; but, the appointineut having been made, his
grace did not think it would be just to rescind it without
giving the man a fair trial, and thought it better that
there should be a public judgment of the superintendent
on his incompetency than any other mode. (liter, hear.)
What could be stronger than the duke's words on his in-
terview with Captain Richards?—`' If you have any inter-
ference with your duty, ur if you have any complaint to
make, come to me, and you may rely upon it I will sup-
port you. The regulations of the dockyards must not be
usfringed, nor any violation of the circular of 1517 be per-
mitted." (( %errs). The evidence showed that the duke
never heard a complaint from the superintendents of the
yards, nor from Sir It. Walker, nor from anybody else,
from the date of the circular of the of April, 1842,
except with reference to the irregular appointment of
blacksmith, named Wells, from the private trade, over the
head of an old experienced and meritorious officer, Mr.
George Cotsell, of whom the master shipwright at Ports-
' mouth, Mr. Abethel, wrote that" for general fitness for the
situation, for faithfulness, economy, and appreciation of
modern improvements in smithery work, he had the
highest opinion of Mr. Outsell." 'f he fatuous Mr.
Natemyth also wrote in the same laudatory terms of Cot-
sell, and Sir B. Walker himself allowed that Cotteell was a
very efficient man. This appointment of Wells over Cot-
sell was not in accordance with the dockyard circular of
1517—(Heur)—but made by Admiral H. Parker, without
the consent or knowledge. of any of his colleague's, and was
an appointment which he was not entitled to make
(Cries " !fear" and " Shame S") Such an irregular appoint.
went could not, therefore, be approved of by the First Lord;
and Admiral Parker, though strongly urged to bring the
case before the board by the duke, declined to adopt the
course. 'aptain Richards, on the 2:1r1 of .l uly, oft' Chat.
ham, when the Admiralty were returning front an official
visit at Sheerness, had an interview with the duke and
his colleagues, butt made no compl ll itt t of any kind to any
member of the hoard. The Admiralty paid an official
visit to Plymouth in October, IS:4 ; passed four days
there, during which time they were in continuous commu-
nication with the superintendent, Commodore Seymour.
'they held a board in his own office, and the first question
put to him was, had he anything he wished to submit to
the board; but no complaint of any sort was made, which
it was his positive duty to bring forward. it' he had any,
though he was in private and confidential correspondence
with Admiral Parker and Sir R. Walker respecting the
dockyards, which six months afterwards wits produced to a
committee oft he Timm, of Commune. ( ( 'ries et "Shame!"
and cheers.) A vast fuss was made respecting a letter
addressed by Sir B. Walker to the Duke of Northumber-
land in May, lteta. Some personal disputes had mitten
between Sir B. Walker and NI r. Stafford : they were made
known to the (hike, who, with a kindly feeling for both
gentlemen, considered the matter with Admiral Parker,
and a comae was adopted which in their opinion had
satisfactorily avenged the affair. This letter of Sir B.
IValkers of the 10th of May was received a few days
after this occurrence, and its contents appearing to the
duke to manifest a desire to revive those personal disputes
which he considered had been settled for ever, and to con-
tain only one speeitie charge, that of Ridgeway, which
ease had been previously disposed of, his grace treated
this letter as a private communicati , considering that it
would be exceedingly inconvenient for the public service to
revive the stemma! misunderstauding between the secre.
tory and the surveyor, and embarrass the daily comes•
pondence that ought to exist between them. All letters
addressed to the First Lord of the Aelmindty, as Sir James
elraham stated to the House of Commons, were made
private or public, as the First Lord saw tit. end the duke
treated all the letters he received from Sir It. Walker in.
variably as private; yet Sir 11. Walker produced a copy of
this letter without even mentioning his intention to do so
to the First Lord, and without remonstrance from the com-
mittee or the present Board of Admiralty. (1Icor.) The
rescinding of the eirettler of Isitl appears to have given
mullnege to Sir It. Walker—why. he ( Sir T. H.) could not
comprehend ; it did not ieterfere with Lord Aeckland's
admirable circular of 1517, nor did it piece Sir Baldwin in
a worse position then when lie was under Lord Auckland,
who cave him his. appoi tttt nent. stet in whose tulle this
ciretther diet not exist. Captain Milne. a Of the
present and several boards, stated. that this circular of
ISW was merely a question which way the returns nom
the dockyards were to reach the surveyor—whether
through the secretary or front the dockyard.. told he then
to submit them to the secretary : but in either case he con.
Metered the sm-veyor reepoesible. Admired 1 limbo. also
a member of the present hoard, stated that he did not
think it signified whether the ill nrus from the dockyards
came direct to the secretaryand then went to the surveyor:
butt he thought, as a matter of official form, they shonld
first go to the Secretary of the Admiralty, as it was alwnys
in the Power of the board to refer them to the ourveyor. Why
Admiral Hyde Parker withheld, apparently so systemizer,
eallY, all his grievances from his then colleagues—why he
aCertlingly encouraged the district officers to furnish him

SATURDAY, •

with their complaints privately, and withheld all know-
ledge of their existence from the board, was a matter
which had occasioned him (Sir Thomas Herbert) not
only surprise, but was a proceeding he could not unravel,
more especially as on uo one occasion did anything occur
during their tenure of office to suggest that perfect
unanimity and friendly feeling did not animate all.
(Cheers.) One circumstance was, however, indisputable
—that Admiral Hyde Parker continued a member of the
present Adurindty—( Lumeheir,and cries of " shame' )—and
it was but just to the excellent permanent servants of all
the departments of the Admiralty to state that complaints
were ti iade only ofthe surveyor's department, which was undi r
the sole control of Admiral Hyde Parker himself ( /fear.)
The case of Lieut. Engledue was another of the unjust charm a
madefrom party motives—(leed cries qf " Hear .' )—but he
would abstain from entering upon it, because the commit-
tee, in their report, did not impugn the motives of the
board for having restored that very efficient officer.
Having detained them so long on three painful topics,
which he considered it a duty he owed them and him-
self, as their member, to enter upen, he would com-
mence upon a more agreeable task, by mentioning a
few of the measures that were brought forward by
the late Board of Admiralty to improve the condition of
our seamen and to strengthen our naval force. (Cheers.)
After taking office no time was lost in concentrating
squadrons in each of the home ports for their defence.
Steamers and other vessels were forwarded in their equip •
went, screw line-of-battle ships were hastened in their cor•
smiction, and a large addition of seamen and marines,
when submitted to Parliament, was voted almost by accla-
mation. By such prompt measures such ships as the
Duke of ll'ellsngion, Agamemnon, st. Jean erA(Te,
Doperieuse, de., were now in commission. (Hear.) Owirg
to the want of sufficient information on steam marine, a
screw squadron was sent to sea under the orders of that ex-
cellent officer, Captain Robinson, for the purpose of testing
the qualities under sail and steam of the several vessels—
(a report of the trial will be found in the parliamentary
paper)—and a committee of experienced officers and ship-
wrights was sent to all the principal ports, to ascertain what
was doing in the steam navy at those places. Another
committee, conjointly with the Ordnance, was appointed to
report on the capability of steam-packets and merchant
skinners to carry guns, and to be used in war, it having
been asserted in the House of Commons that, in the event
of hostilities, the channel would swarm with such vessels.
The result was, that, out of (X) merchant steamers and
packets examined, three only were reported capable of being
used for warfare, and these only by expensive alterations.
(Hear, hear.) Another measure of vital importance was
the committee on manning the navy. The inconvenience
attending our system was universally acknowledged, yet
no Board of Admiralty attempted a remedy. The late
First Lord, himself a sailor, knowing its importance,
grappled at once with the subject; and the instructions
issued to the committee with their valuable report had
been laid before Parliament, and the measures recom-
mended in that report were nearly all carried out by the
present Government—( cheers)—and he trusted that the
valuable evidence collected by that committee would be
given to the public. On the question of the Bay of Fundy
fisheries, too, the late Admiralty acted with promptitude.
The American commodore (Perry) expressed himself
much gratified at the important assistance afforded by our
ships in limiting the fisheries within their proper bounds,
and in restoring harmony. While those important titres-
lions were under consideration by the late Board of
Admiralty, the minor points on which much of the com-
fort of 'seamen depended were not overlooked. Arrange-
mods were made for the increased comfort of the pen-
sioners in Greenwich Hospital. (Cheers.) Sailors' homes
were considerably aided by the princely liberality of the
Duke of Northumberland. (Cheers.) Regulations were
made for the more frequent payment of sailers' wages, and
for improving the position of warrant officers, de. (Dear.)
The important measures alluded to originated with the
First Lord of the Admiralty, who was untiring in his exer-
tions at the board to promote in every way the efficiency
and welfare of the service. The instructions for all the
committees were dictated by his grace : and no man ever
presided over a public department with a more conscien
Lions desire to discharge the duties that devolved upon
him with impartiality, or exercise it with more seal for the
good of hig country. (Cheers.) And, to show how
totally uninfluenced his grace was by any political bias in
the bestowal of his petrunage, he need name only a few of
the gallant officers whom he appointed to ships—Ceptuin
Loch, who was unfortunately killed in the Burmese wai
Captain Lushington, Captain O'Callaghan, Captain
Mitchell, a %arm supporter of Lord Seymour's at Tomes,
de. (ll.ar, hear.) 1 acing been nearly fifty years in the
navy, and engaged with the enemies of-our country more
than thirty times, reported in official Gazelle on fourteen
occasions, with the gratifying honour of receiving with
other gallant friends the thanks of loth Houses of Par-
liament. and from his gracious Sovereign the decoration
of the Rath, it would be a source of deep mortification if he
( sir T. H.) could suppose that shy act of his Merited the
slighteet change in the opinion entertained of bins by his CI AM.
owing to the partisan attack ou the late Board of
' Admiralty. [The adninal, who spoke evidently with
much feeling, after repeating his thanks for the
kind reception and attention he had experienced, resumed
his sent amidst general and long-continued cheering: after
which three very heel ty cheers were given for the Duke of
Northumberland.
The Vice-President (Mr. Ilocetx ) gave, " The Members
for South Devon.-
sir J. VottlE BULLER, Bart., M.P., whose name was
welcomed with lunch enthusiasm, said that a period of
twenty years had been brought back to his recollection,
when he first appeared before the country as a public
man. and he must feel that twenty years of public life bed
not been thrown away when it Atained for him the ape
, plausts of such an assembly. It was a source of regret

I

NovEmnEn 5, 1853

to him that he had not more frequent opportunities of
meeting his friends in various parts of South Devon ; but
since FebekterY. he had not been six consecutive
weeks in his own house. owing partly to parliamentary
duties, and partly to his endeavours to re-establish a local
force which may be of use to the gallant admiral incase an
evil should happen which appeared possible a few years
entice. Their distinguished representative had, as a
sailor, and sailor-like, confined his observations to his own
department ; but he could have mentioned with oinal
satisfaction that similar efficiency had been given to the
army, and that the legal reforms prepared by the most
eminent lawyer of the day, Lord St. Leonervia. if carried
out. would have been inure beneficial to the country than
the alterations since made. These judicious changes were
obliged to be abandoned, because laird Derby was driven
from an office he would have tilled with the greatest
ability. (Hear.) In speaking of these events he really
felt warm. (t 'heers.) Coolness was one of the qualifica-
tions of a politician, but it might be carried too tar and
it was impossible not to feel warm when remembering
what means were adopted to force honounible writ from
offiee. To turn out the Ministry of lewd Derby. his oppo-
nents coquetted with the Irish Brigade, and. by promising
to free Ireland from the income tax, obtained their co-
operation in thus preventing the many measures of prac-
ticel importance pre ejected by the last Administrate . It
was always preferable to retire with honour than to remain
in office with disgrace. This was the oeurse taken by Lord
Derby. (Cheers.) lie knew that the detilit on the budget
was only a prelude to
many successive eliseonifitures if he
continued in power, and he thereupon abandoned office to
those who seemed to have the eonfidenee of the cenntry—
conduct every liononrable and sensitive. • I would think
right. (Applause.) Did these Ministers still possess the
confidence of the °wintry ? ( Nee, au.) They were the
most motley crew that ever obtained possessi of place ;
they had a face for everybody. ( Lanyhter.) Peehte—
when that suited theirmirpose—Lorel Aberdeen at the head,
Mr. Gladstone at the Exchequer, Mr. Sidney Herbert at
the Waeoffice,tliey were essentially Peelite. Weise the Whip
to be coaxed, they were Whigs—for Lord John I lIIASta was
'Radek in the House of Commons. Were Radicals tole
cajoled, they were Radical to the backbone, fur there was Sir
W. Molesworth a Cabinet Minister. ( heed cheers.)
Peelites, Whigs, Radicals—did any of you Owe confidence
in such a ? (Shoats of " No, oar') Look
oat, then, for statesmen who hail a unity of political
action and a sympathy of political sent • .nt, and sues men
you should assist by returning to the House of Conn )))))
those who would affierd them a zealous, conscientious, inde-
pendent, and intelligent support. The hon. baronet re-
sinned his seat amid loud cheering, giving as a toast, "The
Mayor and Council of the Borough."
Sir H. P. SEALF, Bart., the Mayor, who was warmly
greeted, regretted that, during his period of office, his
duties had been both difficult and unpleasant, a majority
of the council having deemed it necessary to discharge
the town clerk, treasurer, and several officers, in conse•
quence of mismanagement in corporate affairs. The
account-books were lost—( freer)—not a document to ex-
plain the expenditure could be found, and a huge defidea•
tion existed. ( Hear, hear.) He hoped for a better state
of things from those who now would be able to regulate
the attain of the council. Ile had listened with great
pleasure to the last toast, and to the reception it had expe-
rienced—not only because Sir John Duller held a high
position in the House of Commons and in their own
county, but because he knew of his unremitting and bene-
Wel exertions as a country gentleman, and as the colonel
of the old South Devon Corps. (Cheers.) There was a
time when Sir John and himself were politically opposed;
but years had rolled on, and, although his own opinions of
former times were unchanged, those he then Retell with
having left him behind in their dangerous and over-rapid
course of political progress, lie was delighted to tutu himself
able to act iu unison with one whose private character he
bad always appreciated, and whose public worth was so
universally acknowledged as that of their justly-popular
county member. (('heers.) Delighted, also, was he to see
the gallant admiral the representative of I tartmouth, and
additionally pleased at having heard his remarks that
evening on the complaints spitefully urged against the late
Admiralty—remarks, he felt satisfied, which would tend to
dissipate that deliberate misrepresentation which hail been
so industriously circulated against the noble duke and his
colleagues. (Cheers. )
Other toasts, including " Governor Holdeworth," "Lady
Seale," and " The Ladies of Dartmouth," having been
duly noticed, the admiral, accompanied by Sir John
Buller, Sir H. Seale, and other friends, left the room amid
very general cheering.

A Ma. H. DAVIDSON, of the Bengal Civil Service,
who held the appointment of settlement officer in
the Sutlej territories, applied lately to the Uovenior-
tieneral for an increase of salary, and in writing on
the subject to Major Itam.ay, private secretary to
the tiov..rnor.tieo-ral, enclosed a cheque for :tom
rupees tats,/.) I,.!I. in 7 ,alled upon for an ex-
planation for such an exic.iortlinary proceeding,
he repudiated altogether the idea of a bribe, and
stated that he had enclosed the money as a fee
to the private 'secretary, helloing such to be cus-
tomary. Upon receiving this reply, Lord Dalhousie
ordered Sir Henry Lawrence to report upon Mr.
Davidson's sanity. and, after an inquiry at Lahore,
his lordship has been assured that the gentleman
does not appear to be mad. Under these circiim•
stances, there was but one conr:e left for the Gover-
nor-General to pursue, viz., to suspend Mt. Davidson
until the pleasure of the Court can be known ; and
this has been done.