The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-26 00:00:00

THE FLEET AT CORK

Drsuw. FRIT. 24.

The proceedings of the Lords of the Admiralty at
Queenstown and in Cork harbour during the last
few days have beeu attended with much eclat, and
excited the liveliest interest in the locality. Shortly
slier 12 o'clock yesterday their lordships, accompa-
nied by their secretary, Mr. Bernal Osborne, left
their yacht, the Black Eagle, and proceeded to in-
spect the Admiralty works and stores at Haulbow-
where in the ceurse of a protrae ted examination
they frequently expressed their approval of the ar-
rangement of the several stores, and the stability of
construction which the various works exhibited.
Their lordships then returned to the Black Eagle,
where shortly after two o'clock they received a de-
putation, consisting of Mr. Maguire, M.P., mayor of
Cork; Mr. Fagan, M.P., Mr. F. W. Beamsh,
and some other gentlemen, who came to present an
address from the city. of Cork, t.nd to invite their
lordships to a complmentary entertainment to be
given by the corporation on Tuesday next, to which
the officers of the fleet and of the garrison would be
invited.
Sir James Graham replied that if the deputation did him
the honour of asking him and the officers of the Beet, he
should have great pleasure in meeting the officers from the
two services. From those services lie need hardly observe
that politics were excluded ; and, on the understanding that
no such subject was introduced, representing one of those
service', and speaking on behalf of the navy, he would he
most happy to attend on that occasion. The Mayer said,
on such an occasion as that to which he alluded, they, the
corporation, or citizens of Cork, whom they represented,
would not seek to commit him even to a promise in reference
to the port. As to anything else, anything touching upon
politics, they could not for a moment think of introducing
such a subject. He was happy to observe that tlie citizens
of Cork freely met at all times fur objects totally uocuu-
nected with politics, and the harmony of their proceedings
was distu lied by the slightest allusion to such flat-
ten. Sir James Graham, who seemed particularly cautious
in his determination to eschew politic., said that, relying
on that understanding, he would be happy to partake of
their hoepitality.
The Mayor then read the address, which expressed
the gratification of the corporation and citizens at
the arrival of the Lords of the Admiralty in Cork,
and referred to the capabilities of the harbour as a
fitting place for a packet station or port of call.
Sir James Graham briefly replied :
Gentlemen, lam much obliged to you. I shall pay every
possible attention to those repreeentatione, and endeavour
to make mysi If master of the advantages which the port
possesses, and, for the common good, to reciter thesis as
available as possible.
On the preceding day the first stone of the New
Victoria Pier, at Queenstown, was laid by Sir IV. F.
Carroll, port admiral, and in the course of the after-
noon eakjeutier was given, at which Sir James Graham,
Cup`. Nlilne, and Rear-Admiral Dundae were guests.
Sir James Graham, in reply to the toast of the
"Lords of the Admiralty," said :
Sir William Carroll aid gentlemen—Having passed a very
restless night upon the stormy sea, 1 certainly anticipated
with delight my berth in this most excellent haven, and I
certainly also entered this haven in the expectation of a
kind reception on the part of my Irish fellow countrymen.
Although representing the government, I was not prepared
on my arrival fur a reception so happy, so unanimous, so
cordial as this. You have taken me at a disadvantage, but
having the honour of being connected with a board which
presides over the naval profession, we should he unworthy
of the post we fill if we were not "always ready"—
(hear, hest)—which is not the boast, but the practice
of the naval profession, and the expectation formed
of them in which my countrymen are never disap-
pointed. (Cheers.) One word with respect to the edi-
fice the first stone of which was laid to-day by my gal-
lant friend. Representing her Majesty on this occasion, I
am bound to say to you that she, whose health you drank,
as well as her Consort, were both much gratified, and, in-
deed, expressed themselves delighted with the reception
they met with in this place. Their former visit gratified
them , and I helm reason to know that their recent visit to
the Frish capital has, if it were possible, gratified them still
more, and that her Majesty has been indeed most gratified
with the repeated pools of the loyalty and cordial!, she
has received at the hands of the Irish people. (Loud cheers-)
With reference to this harbour, it is delightful to behold
that the ships which now adorn it will be always received
here as at the most friendly port, and that arrangements are
now in prefecss by which its accommodation will be im-
proved. (Hear, hear.) My hope is that it may be a fre-
quent and constant resort of the British navy—(hear, bear)
—and I cannot wish them anything more gratifying than
the cordiality with which, without difference of any kind,
we have been received on this occasion, and the tlpe of
which cordiality is the company I have now the honour of
addressing. (Cheers.) I have been passing a restless night
where I could hardly stand from the frequent moron of
the vessel, and if I remain much longer here, I shall
scarcely be able to stand from the effects of j our hospita-
lity. I shall therefore wish you a hearty success, and,
thanking you cordially for your kind recepti in, I ',hall not
only return you my best thanks, but I shall now take the
liberty of withdrawing. Sir James then explained that he
was engaged to dine with the admiral which wculd neces-
sitate his leaving early.
It is a circumstance worth mentioning, as showing
the capabilities of Cork harbour, that just before the
port admiral laid the first stone of the new pier—
that is, at the very moment of extreme low water--
the St. Jean D'Aere, a line of battle ship of over 100
guns, sailed into the harbour in perfect security, and
might in fact have done so in the darkest night.
It was expected that their lordships would visit
the different ships of the fleet in the course of this
day. In the afternoon, at low water, they would
proceed up the river to examine the now celebrated
" new cut," in reference to which they have received
memorials from shipowners and others.
The Imperieuse, 50, steam frigate, Captain Wat-
son, C. 8., one of the fleet in the harbour, has re-
ceived orders to proceed to Plymouth to have a new
foremast.
A rumour prevailed in Dublin last evening that
the fleet now in Cork was to sail to the Baltic, but it
did not seem to rest on the slightest foundation.

The Maynooth Inquiry Commissioners having
held their preliminary meeting at Dublin Caiitle in
the early part of the week, proceeded on Thursday
to Maynooth, and had an interview with the heads
of the college. It is understood that the inquiry will
be conducted at the office of the commissioners in the

castle, and not at Maynooth.
A disturbance oT a very serious character took
place at Lisburn on Thursday evening, the Orange
party having made a desperate onslaught on the
friends of Mr. Jonathan Joseph Richardson, the
popular candidate. The Banner of Ulster gives the
following account of the affair :
We have just learned, on going to press, that one of the
most disgraceful attacks ever made in electioneering pro-
ceedings took place last night en the supporters of Mr. Jo-
nathan Joseph Richardson, of the Island, as they were in
2011e11e of holding a private meeting in the Queen's Arms
Rotel. The first intimation that an attack was to be made
was about half-past ten, when Capt. Bolton, who had been
in the chair during the previous part of the evening, had
retired, and Robert Kennedy, Esq., of the Lisburn flour
mills, was presiding. From what we have been able to learn
it appears that about ten o'clock a number of men, from 150
to 200, seemirgly people from the country districts, and
armed with bludgeons and other deadly weapons, such as
colts, some of them weighing not less than s potted, were
seen standing about the door of Mr. Jonathan Richardson's
committee room,. Several of them had been in the
rooms in question, and were afterwards observed going
from place to place, as if communicating infamation of
special importance to others who were then coming up. Mr.
Jonathan Joseph Richardson's committee-rooms are imme-
diately opposite on the other side of the street. Gradually
the crown at the opposing candidate's committee-roes
were seen moving across and mustering at the entrance,
to the Queen's Arms, and almost immediately on their
locating themselves at that spot, they commenced a furious
attack on the gate, doom and windows of the hotel, voci-
ferating, " Ingram for ever," "Dawn with the Island,"
Sm. Several of the watchmen hearing the tumult, came
up promptly, and were at once set on by the mob, one of
whom tell the sergeant of the watch t stand out of the
way, or he would knock his brains out. By this time Mr.
Jonathan Joseph Richardson's friends, seeing their lives
imptiiilled, and being totally unprepared to oppose an
attack which they never expected, proceeded to arm
themselves in the beat way they could, and stood on the
defensive ; however, as the mob were wrecking furiously,
and with desperate energy, the windows of the hotel, which
have been literally shattered to atom, the gateway was
opened, and a party rushed out on the besiegers, for the
purpose of protecting the property. Matters now became
worse, both partic having thrown themselves thoroughly
into the conflict, and some iujuries having been given and
received, the aggressors were at length routed, and
chased down Castle-street. About this period of the
affair the Island petty, infuriated by the unprovoked
attack made upon them, broke and destroyed the windows
of the house in which the Ingram candidate has his mam-
ma ce room. Pre eious to the return of the victors, a re-
inforcement of lie lugram party made a fresh am At on
the hotel, hurling stones from three to five pounds weight
ag eiest the doors and into the windows, cawing the utmost
coneternatioie among the females in the house, and requiring
the greatest care on their part to liable them to .eve the
lives of the children, showers of atones liming. it W said,
aliOited about the beat on which they were lyieg. The
I.s.,lr..d..pas.rtal
abouto Doming
tog uhp. at this
odd ,:revented fitrthar conflict, and euccadi ,l, by the waists
renewedti mwehetnhethhemmin acitirnapngde areend-
ance of the watch:au u and the aid of the bland early, In
restoring the town to something like sada. Ahout one
o'clock, the police having previously sees the L:rnbeg or
Itttviru party out of town, on their way home, all was
pretty quiet. NV: understand that several of the supporters
of the independent candidate, who, as has ban ahem!),

stated, were totally unprepared for any attack of the kind,
laws received wouads more ur Its/ serious.
Notwithsfanding the many assertions to the con-
trary, Mr. W. H. Gregory has no s• come tot ward
and avowed his approval of the efforts made to town
hint for Duagarvan at the late election there. he
says in an ae.dress to the electors : I :;:t in-
structed that a committee of the House of Commons
will give effect to the wishes of thole electors who.
although unsolicited and uncanvassed, have supported
me at the hustings, I shall not fail, after the decision
of that tribunal, should it be favourable to in., to
pay my respects to the borough of Dungareats, and
to nuke myself thoroughly acquainted with its local
exigencies, the promotion of which I shall to the
utmost of my abilities endesvoar to effect."