The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-07 00:00:00

THE COMMIT= ON DOCKYARD PRO-

MOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Yesterday the committee (Lord Seymour, Lord
Mahan., Sir B. Hall, Sir F. Davie, and Mr. Beckett) re-
sumed their inquiry.
Commodore Seymour, superintendent of Devonport dock-
yard, was then called in and crammed. He made
a lengthened statement, concluding as follows :—No
canvassing, to my knowledge, took place in any yard
&whet the election. It was contrary to the regulations.
Mr. Stafford came into the yard on the 16th of April. He
arrived is the Retribution on the nth, and came into the
dockyard at eleven o'clock on the 15th. Colonel Greene and
Mr. Orantwent over the yard with him after the luncheon,
and across the bar and harbour. I was with Mr. Stafford a
portion of the time ; but I did not go to the Victualling-
yard with him. Again, on the 22nd of June, Mr. Stafford
arrived in the Black Eagle and I went off to see him. On
the 23rd I was in the yard with Mr. Stafford, Sir J. Max-
well, and Sir 0. Berkeley, the conservative candidate, and
the men passed by us in review. It never struck me this
would give a colour to any approaching election, or affect
the minds of the men who were voters. I went with Mr.
Stafford as a matter of duty, awl no political word or can.
vase took place. That occasion is the only instance of a
secretary of the Admiralty coming down to Devonport
dockyard without the Lords of the Admiralty sines I have
been in the service. I supposed Mr. Stattlad came in order
to get acquainted with the yard.
Mr. Trascott, storekeeper at Stonehous• stated—l was
appointed by Sir F. Bering and was at Devonport during
the election, but not on the hustings. I was on the hust-
ings at Plymouth, and I received permission from Mr.
Mare, the Conservative sitting member for Plymouth, to be
there, and I tried to get others there. I was not in the
poll-booths, neither was I • voter, and a canvassed.
I was three mouths away from Devonport. in July, August,
and September, at Sheerness and Woolwich, but not at
Chatham, and was very frequently in the lobby of the
House of Commons last year, and in communication with
members about election matters, but not with Mr. &afford.
By Sir Benjamin Hall—Hsd you any communication in
the lobby with Mr. Forbes Mackenzie 7-1 think I had.
Had you any conversation with Major Berenford in the
lobby ?—No, I think not.
Try again.—Well, I think I had ; but not with reference
to elections.

Do you mean that ?—I might have spoken to him with
reference to elections. It might haze been with reference
to that of Plymouth, and I dare say Woolwich.
And Greenwich ?—tiot that I know of particularly. I do
not know that I spoke to Mejor Beresford with reference
to Mr. Molt's election for Greenwich; but I did to Mr.
Forbes Mackenzie.

Now what did you say to him ?—I was introduced to him
by a friend, Lord Arthur !Armor, casually, in Pall-mall,
near the Carlton. _ . _ _ _

Wen you ever in there ?—Yes, but I am not a member. I
have seen both Major Berealord and Mr. Mackenzie at the
Carlton. Mr. Forbes Mackenzie asked me if I thought Mr.
Rolt would stand for Greenwich. Mr. Holt is my brother-
in-law, end I told him what Mr. Forbes Mackenzie said,
and told him I thought it a good opportunity for him to
come into political lift, as hr had never bees in parliament
before.

Did you not go down to Greenwich to see Mr. Dolt
was staying with him, at I do whenever I am in London.
I saw him canvassing while I was at Greenwich.
Were you not in frequent communication with Colonel
Forbes and Mr. Forbes Mackenzie with reference to num-
bers to serve in parliament ?—I
members to
with reference to the election, inking my opinion as to the
probsole success of a government candidate at Devonport.
Did they not write to you with reference to the Green-
wich election ?—I have not the letter here, and it is impos-
sible for me to tax my memory, and where—(lnudly and
irascibly)—l am so minutely examined upon points of this
sort, it is impossible for any person to recollect. I have
given my evidence in the best and truest way I could,
and if I am to be cross-examined in this way,
I appeal to his lordship, the chairman, whether
I am fairly dealt with. (Applause behind the
bar.) In fact, I do not see what this has to do with the sum-
mons I have at all—(renewed applause from a section of
the room supposed to be occupied by the Plymouth people). '
, I do not sea why I am to be cross-examined respecting pri-
vate correspondence I have had with private gentlemen
with whom I have bean acquainted, and in which I have
given my private opinions. My summons brings me here
about dockyard appointments, and not about appointments
at Bermuda.
84 Benjamin Hall (firmly)—l ask you, dr, with refer-