The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-27 00:00:00

MR. ROEBUCK'S MOTION.

Mr. ROEBUCK, on riling to briug zotward the mot*
' of which he had given notice, appeared to be still labor*
ing under the effects of his recent illness; he was saratal
times obliged to pause, and at 1 ngth bad to Mt
down after a very abort address. lie said that
he perhaps might require to make some apology he
addressing them ; but the motion itself requited no ape.
logy. They had sent forth an army unequalled in akimbo
by any that evor left the shores of this country; that army.
by its deeds, has not only maintained but has increased the
glory of the country. (it Hear," and cheers.) Now, bibs
admission of the noble lord, it appeared that the army bid,
by the neglect of the government at home, become in a OW
dition that wrung the heart of the nation. (Hear, has.)
When they considered what was the duty of the hours Salt
suck circumstances, be felt that hie motion required ne
apology. The noble lord (Lord John Russell) had jest toil
them that he felt himself unable, as a minister of he
Grown, to resist a motion which was only en exercise of ths
incontrovertible power of that house ; but in the um
breath he told them that he could net support the mei*
either by his speech or vote. Ho has thus neglected a
duty which ho ought to perform. H. ought to fore
his private affections and personal considerations whoa sM
only the army of England, but the very exams
of the country, was at stake; but notwithstanding this de-
minion by the noble lord, be (Mr. Roebuck) would put
motion on its broad merits. It naturally divided Willis%
two parts—first, what was the prz.4.Lt condition of ths
army before Sebastopol; second, how was that medals
brought about? After the confession cf the noble Ica,
there could not be two opinions as to the condition of the
army. It appeared that it was wi.hotis shelter, without
food, without clothes, and without ammunition. That wss
the condition to which it was reduced by the incapaeity,os
he believed, of those whose duty it was to administer to its
wants. (Hear, bear.) He believed it was the incompe-
tency and incapacity of the government that had brought
the army into such a state; and the incapacity that
had brought about such results COI continued to
direct affairs. All he had to do was to sub-
mit his question to the house; when he bad
done so he thought he would have done Lis duty. (Hear,
hear.) It might be thought requisite that he should me
something as to the state of the army before Sebutopth
He begged to ray that with the military part of the gum
lion he had no concern. He was not able to judge of the
propriety of an expedition to the Crimea, as he was not
military man ; but be could judge of the conduct of sun
when the army was there—and as a member of that home
he was bound to his judgment. His first question was to
to the numbers of the army now before Sebastopol. lie
thought it was pretty well ascertained that fifty-four thaw
sand soldiers bad been sent from the sheres of this country,
equipped as they had never equipped soldiers before, who
had done all that men could do to suppat the glory rd
their country. He wanted to know what had be.
come of that fifty-four thousand man? It sp•
peered from the best and most authentic swabb
that at present there were but fourteen thousand men berm
Sebastopol actually under arms, and of these honest
thousand but five thousand were in a state of health. He
held in his hand a later from Constaotinopte, dated JUL IL
The writer states " That according to the best accounts the
whole effective force of infantry did not exceed fourteen
theusand, while the artillery and engineers bad suffered
similar diminution ; the cavalry no longer existed as a fors,
for the whole of their horses had been tassel up for the
transport of provisions." The writer went on to say
"That within two months the British army before Selma-
topol would he totally destroyed." It was reported that a
distinguished general, just,returned from the seat of war, had
declared be was firmly persuaded the' a great disaster Ifle
about to befall the army before Sebastopol. Fourteen those
sand men only remained out of fifty-four thous Ind ; he wanted
to know what had become of the forty thousand that bad
disappeared from the ranks of the army ? If they had Daly
fourteen thousand, having sent out fifty-four, it RS/ a mete
question of figures to know that forty thousand must bats
disappeared. He asked what he* become of that forty
thousand? (Loud cheers.) (The hon. gentleman ham
appeared overcome by weakness. After some moments be
continued.) That being the condition of the army, the
next question was how that condition was brought shoat?
It had been brought about by incapacity at home and ine*
peaty abroad—incapacity on the part of those whose day
it was to administer to their wants. At that moment the
shores of the harbour of Baleklava were covered with storm,
which a country possessing means of transport beyond en
other cation was enabled to ley down there ; there were storei
sufficient for an army twice ea peat. They had been base-
ported 3,000 miles across the ocean, but the last ewes
miles unfortunately Intervened, and the army was deprived
ofeverything. How had that been occasioned ? Pint, by
an insufficiency of prevision here, when the army bad boss
sent to the Crimea ; secondly, by the inefficiency of them
to whom that army was confided when it reached those
shores. (The hon. gentleman paused for a moment, and
continued)—l feel, air, that my strength will not permit sass
to go further; I beg, therefore, in pursuance of my mg"
to move " For a 'elect committee to inquire into the or
dition of our army before Sebastopol, and into the conduit
of thews departments of the government whose duty it has
been to minister to the waste of that army."
After the boa. and learned gentleman had resumed hie
seat, some minutes aspired before any member rose to ad-
dress the house. There were loud cries for a division. At
length

Mr. 8. HERBERT roes, and said that he felt slats
hesitation in rising at that moment, on account of the
psis which, in common with every member, he felt at twit.
swim the physical impossibility node, which the his.
and learned gentleman had toned himself of continuing the
modem of which be had given notice—a notice whisk let
was fully entitled to give from the position in which hie
teleats had so deservedly plead him. He regretted it still
more, is it placed him in a position of some &Seeley,