The Express.
London, England, 1863-05-13 00:00:00

}LOGGING ON BOARD H.M.B. MAJESTIC.

Mr. HADFIELD asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
if his attention had bees alined to an article which appeared
In the Liverpool Mercury respecting the flogging
of one of the crew of her Majest ■ ship Majestic ; whether
the particulars therein stated were correct; whether the
rnialiment was inflicted is the presence of a surgeon ; and
if he would lay a oopy of the proceedings of the court-
martial before the house.

Lad C. Piairrepl;ed that his attention had been called
to • vile sad tricked libel on one of the moot distinguished
officers in her Majesty's navy which had appeared in • Liver-
pool newspaper. That libel was too loathsome for him to
repeat at length to the house, but the substance of it wan
that a man had bees flatipd on board the Majestic until be
fasted, that Captain Eagisdeld was seen to smile during
the infliction of the pa' t, sad that immediately after
the man was placed is • dark and dismal cockpit. It •
wee minecrimery for hisa (Load C. Paget) to describe Captain
Peglefield's character to the house. That officer was
distinguished for his bravery, had gone three times to the
North Pole is search of Sir Joha Franklin, and was known
to be one of the most kind-hearted officers in the navy.
The house would be glad to hear what was the opinion of
those who had the honour of serving under that distin-
guished officer. Whee the crew and petty officers of the
Majestic read this malicious libel in the Liverpool Mercury
they came aft to the captain and asked permission to ace-
the calumny. They instructed the petty officers to
prepare a letter to be sent to the editor of the newspaper,
which he should read to the house, first premising that
the writing of such a letter was an irregularity, and bad
been censured by the Admiralty, which never allowed any
correspondence with the newspapers. Is this coos, how-
ever, the provocation was so gnat and the injury so serious
that the captain allowed the letter to be published. 'dev-
ise been published, be (Lord C. Paget) had no scruple in
reading it to the house. It was as follows :—" Gentle-
men—With surprise and indignation we read hi your columns
of to-day • envies of a punishmest which took place on
beard her Majesty's ship Majestic on the 22nd inst. of •
me a for mutinous conduct ; and we, on behalf of the ship's
company, beg to state that it is untrue, and that, instead of
W order for punishment being given in a stern meaner by
the captain, it was one more of regret. It is also stated in
your paper that Captain Eoglefield stood by sad smiled
during the infliction of the punishment, instead of which he
was noticed by us scarcely to take his eyes from the deck.
The man did sot hist, but quite the contrary. Further, it
is customary for soon who are sentenced to imprisonment to
be placed iter the fore cockpit, with • sentry over them, for
leer of demelien. This cockpit is • well-ventilated place,
sad, from the number of lamps, is nearly as light as the
upper deck. Mort of the officers' cables are placed on the
same deck. We most also remark that the man's offence,
Wised of bass of • trifling nature, wan one of a very gross
waters, particularly on two occasions to the command-
* officer—Gook • one, in fact, as no true British
tar would be capable of. It was an offence which could
say be cosnatited by those who ware pests to society. This
ass bad for falser offences been sentenced to cells on
board and gaols on shore, and nothing could reclaim hint.
It is with spontaneous feelings that we write these facts to
that our captain, whom we all hamar and respect for his
peat killdeer, combined with strict discipline, as is proved
by so many of us volunteering to remain after we have
been paid off. There are men now on board who have been
several years is the ship, sod who have never committed any
breach of discipline. It should be remembered that the
captain had no power to mitigate the sentence of • court-
martial which had beim confirmed by the Admiralty."
This letter was signed by 35 petty officers of the Majestic.
(Hear. hear.) Now, he (Lord C. Paget) could only say
that Captain Englefield had merely carried out the sentence
if • court-martial, by order of the Admiralty, cm • man who
bad been guilty of gross issubonlination in striking
hit superior officer whilst on duty. (Hear, hear.) He
tested that the house would join with him in expressing
'egret and indignation that any newspaper could think fit
te publish so grievous and moss • libel on a distinguished
nicer without any proof beyond a mere anonymous letter.
He had only farther to add that the man who wrote the
Wier forged another sae's signature to it, and that the
matter was sow undergoing judicial
THE RECENT DISTURBANCE IN A ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHAPEL AT CAMBRIDGE.

Mr. POLLAID-IJUQUHART mid with refavece to •
sake white appeared mhis IMMO OD the paper, that aim*
be had gives notice he had received a letter from the
prism of the chapel to question to the effect that the anti:m-
ettles of the university had taken up the matter in the most
prompt and satisfactory manner. and that he (the priest)
wirs auzious that so further notice ehould be taken of the
weir. Uader theme circumacences he (Yr. Pollard.
'Urquhart) begged to withdraw his notice, and to express
his regret that he bad placed it oo the paper.