The Express.
London, England, 1847-03-02 00:00:00

of service in the army. (Hear.) He believed that the army,
as a service, had been, ix some particulars, too long neg-
lect,
d; tke comforts of the soldier had not been thought
worthy of attention • but he was convinced that the more
care was taken of the soldier in time of peace, the more he
was trained in those habits which constituted a good citizen,
the better would he serve iu time of war. (Hear.) He
hoped they should be able to promote the welfare of the men
to such an extent as to induce the people of this country
to look on the army, not as a refuge for the outcasts
of society, but as an honourable profession, in which
they might ncourage their children to embark, and
from which, after • long or short period of service, by the at-
tention paid to their comfort, moral training, and strict dis-
cipline, they might receive them back improved in every
way, and with their health nod morals duly and properly
attended to. With these remarks, be would place in the
hands of the chairman the vote—that 108,998 men be al-
lowed for the sera ice of the )ear, exclusive of those em-
ployed in the East Indus.
Mr. WILLIAMS said the statement just made was so
clear and straightforward, that scarcely any item required
explanation. (Hear, lacer.) He had stated his intention
of proposing a reduction of 10,000 men ; but having re-
ceived little encouragement from his friends near him—
.. . . . .

(laughter)—and bele'ving that there was very little chance
of clisplactog the government by a hostile vote--(laughter)—
and hoping, also, that they would be in cffice next year, and
would then be enabled to propose a considerable reduction
in these estimates—he should not bring forward the propo-
sition which he bad intended to make.

Sir DE LACY EVANS expressed his satisfaction at the
statements which had been made with reference to the de-
crease of corporal punishments, and the improvements in the
moral and physical condition of the soldiers. A vote of
5,0001. was proposed for increasing the accommodation in
barracks ; he should have been .lad if a much larger sum
had been proposed, for the present state of the sleeping apart-
meats in the barracks was very objectionable, es they were
extremely deficient in space.
Mr. S. HERBERT was glad to learn that the 'cistern of
education originated at Chelsea Hospital, was to be extended
throughout the army. He believed that a spirit of eco-
nomy and frugality had been introduced amongst the men
which he doubted not would be attended with the beet
results. (Hear.) The system of rewards was one which
could not but be productive of the greatest advantages, and
he hoped to see it carried to a much greater extent.
Mr EWART regretted that a much larger sum had not
been devoted to educational purposes in the army. As
indicative of their small habits of frugality it might
be mentioned that their investments is the savings
banks only amounted to about three thousand pounds.
He was anxious to do everything in his power to raise the
character of both officer and soldier. . .

Mr. GOU LBURN was opposed to the general establish-
ment of colonial corps. His reason was this: the British
army we. necessarily small, and if colonial corps were gene-
rally established there would be great difficulty in time of
war is raising a sufficient force for imperial purposes. Be-
i aides, he thought that every British soldier should feel him-
self to be a member of the national army of Great Britain.
Colonial corps, although perhaps sufficient to defend a fron-
tier against savages, were hardly so well disciplined as effec-
tuallv to stand in the place of the regular army. Of course
the Clays and one or two other colonies must be made an
exception to this rule.
3,728,7371. for defraying the expenses of her Majesty's
land forces at home and abroad, exclusive of India.
Bir C. NAPIER moved that the chairman report pro-
gress, and that the house proceed to the discussion of the
navy estimates, as had been previously
a
Lord J. RUSSELL feared that attrhrrttl e hour very
little progress would be made in the navy estimates. They
formed
atie on which a great number of gentlemen might
wish to speak.
Mr. WILLIAMSI trusted that the government would not
secede to the wishes of the gallant officer.
Sir C. NAPIER persisted in moving that the chairman
report
Mr. TritsULE said that if the gallant officer persisted
in his motion, he would be clearly chargeable with obstruct-
ing the public business, as it was clear that even if they
proceeded to the navy estimates little or no progress could
be made on that evening.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that if the gallant admiral with-
drew his motion for reporting progress, he (Lord J. Russell)
would arrange so as that a discussion might be had on the
navy estimates on a future evening. The vote was then
agreed to.
177,7771. 18s. Id. k.r staff officers and officers of the Tower
of London.

96,6321., for principal officers of the public departments,
civil and military.
17,0331. 6s. 3d., Royal Military College.
17,6331., Royal Military Asylum.
86,3041. volunteer corps.
15,7401. rewards for distinguished services.
82,0001. pay of general officers.
59.000/. full-pay for reduced and retired officers.
420,0001. half pay and military allowances to reduced and
retired officers.

The above votes were severally put and agreed to.
49,1361. half-pay and reduced allowances to officers of dis-
banded foreign corps, &c.
Dr. BOWRING asked whether any precautions were
taken to ascertain the identity of foreign officers receiving
allowances ? He understood that personation to some extent
had been carried on.

Mr. F. MAULE said that care wu taken that the per-
son should be identified by parties on the spot, or by letters
of sufficient authority. He was quite sure that no foreign
officer received pay under fraudulent circumstances.
Vote agreed to.
131.8591. for officers' widows.
98,0001. for the charge of allowanceson the Compassionate
List, &e.

36 6231. 3s. for the charge of Chelsea and Kilmainham
hospitals.
1,236,7321. for the charge of the out-pensioners of Chelsea
hospital.
39,0001. for the charge of allowances, compensations, and
emoluments in the nature of superannu►tions to persous
formerly in public departments.
Those votes having been agreed to,
Sir DE LACY EVANS asked if the Peninsular medals
were to be distributed to the survivors of officers as well as
to the surviving officers ? Ile wished also to call attention
to tha propriety of giving a similar medal to those who had
served in the battle of Trafalgar. (Hear, hear.) Less
had been done for those who were interested in that battle
than was generally supposed, and he could give a carious case
in point. Almost the last sentence ever penned by Lord
Nelson was a recommendation te his country of aa adopted
daughter. That lady, he understood, war married to a highly-
esteemed clergyman, with a very small professional provision.
Nothing had been ever done fur the lolly by the nation ; and
he (Sir De L. Evans) thought the noble lord might fairly
consider whether the government could not confer on the
clergyman to whom she was united some such preferment
an, very much to their honour, they had last year given to
the son of Sir W. Nott.

Lord J. RUSSELL said the rule laid down with respect
to Peninsular medals was this—that medals should be given
to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers who had served
in any of those engagements L. the Peninsula on account of
which any honorary distinction had been conferred upon
officers of superior rank. With regard to a distinction for
the navy, the subject was full of difficulty for if they '
confined such distinction to thou who had served at Trafal-
gar, they should obviously be doing an injustice to many I
others wko had served in exceedingly gallant actions, and yet
as most of these gallant actions were fought previously to Tra-
fakir, they must go back to an almost indefinite period, in
order to seek for occasions of conferring the contemplated
distinction. However, the matter was one for the coon-
deration of the First Lord of the Admiralty, who, no doubt,
would be prepared to advise her Majesty upon the subject.
With regard to the last part of the hon. and pilau mem-
ber's speech, he (Lord J. Russell) was certainly not aware
of the circumstance to which he had referred, and, therefore,
he could, of course, say nothing upon the subject.
Sir R. PEEL sked what had been done with reference
to the monument voted to the memory of those who had
recently fallen in India?
Lord J. RUSSELL said there had been no final deci-
sion, though he believed it was understood that there should
be one general monument-
Sir It. PEEL observed that that was the course he him-
self had contemplated.
Sir C. NAPIER mid there was a question which he had
n.ver stirred, and which hie commander•in.chiet had never
stirred, but which he thought he ought upon the present oc-
casion to mention. Medals were given for services in China
and India, but he had heard of none for services in Syria.
Now he cared nothing about these things himself, but thus
were some who had served with him who thought they ought
not to be passed over. They were English officers who had
taken St. Jean d'Acre. There was nothing extraordinary in
the tact of English officers having taken St. Jean d'Aere,
but everybody knew the fortress was a very strong one, and
that the service was one of great importance to the national
interest. The service was very Severe, and was performed
with great gallantry. It was • natural quotation to ask,
therefore, why they should be put off with a medal from the
Sultan, instead of being put on the same footing with their
brethren who had served elsewhere ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said no doubt the service referred to
was a very brilliant end a very distinguished one. But it
was clear they could not raise a question of this sort without
raising others. There were Algiers and Navarino, for in-
stance ; if medals were granted for services in Syria, why not
for services in those engagements?
Sir C. NAPIER quite agreed as to the propriety of the
last grant; and, for his part, he saw no reason why those who
Nerved at Algiers should not have • medal. There was
scarcely an action in the whole war equal to Algiers. Naval
men hardly thought it could be done. Lord Nelson had
sailed up and down the Mediterranean many years, and had
never contemplated an attack upon Algiers. Lied Exmouth
came home, and told the Admiralty that if they would give
him roar or fire line-of-battle ships he would punish the
Dey ; and so he did. Ships might more with ships in the
open sat and beat them easily; bat what was that to running
a squadron into such a port as Algiers, where you
might be driven on shore, under • battery, by • current I
or a foul wind, and placed at the enemy's mercy at any mo-
ment ? That was what Lord Exmouth did. He took
Algiers in en extraordinary manner—ao extraordinary as to
justify the assertion that nothing done in the war was supe-
rior to it. With respect to Naverino it was a different sort
of affair ; but there, it must be reivillected the admiral in
command engaged a very superior force, and beat them gal-
lantly. He thought they all ought to have medal,. (Hear.)
The army estimates having been thu gone through, the
house resumed. Report to be brought up to-morrow (this day).
The report of the committee of supply of Friday last
(navy ) was brought up, and the resolutions
agreed to.
The committee on the Customs Duties Act was postponed
to Friday next-
DRAINAGE ACT.
Sir 0. GREY obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend