The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-29 00:00:00

ILO DOCKYARD APPOINTMENTS AND

PROMO LIONS

Yesterday the select committee appointed by the
House of Clemons to inquire into the circumstance' arisiag
out of and connected with the iaveetisetion before the
nicest committee es the Chatham 'bodice, end "ultra)
lite the @mein of the Messes moll getrmsge of the Ad-
aiiralty in t►e several gedienweary boroughs connected
with the dockyards, met tor the Int time.
'f be member" of the committee were—Lard Seymour,
chairman ; Lord /Wham, Sir Benjamin Hall, Sir Ferguson
and Mr. Beckett.
Although not generally expected that the inquiry would
be open to the public. t►e room was crowded during the
day by officers and others of the Admiralty and doekyurds,
and members of the h itise interested in the inquiry.
Mr. :slafford sat at the table usually occupied by counsel,
and was engaged throughout the day in taking voluminous
notes of the evidence.

Sir Walker was winthe first witness called and
esamiced. He deposed (after some preliminary remarks)
that he tilled the appointment of Surveyor to the Admiralty,
and thut about the last day of March, 1832, Mr. Grant
came to him from Mr. Stafford, with a request that witness
would not submit the names of the lemons to be promoted
into the vecancies for foreman and inspector of shipwrights
in Devonport dockyard, as Mr. Stafford's political friends
were di/whetted, and ho wished to promote some of their
party. Witness felt annoyed at reeeiving such a message,
and reque ted Mr. Grant to inform Mr. Stafford that wit-
ness had Dem upwards of four years in the department,
that he had not allowed political notions to influence his
submissions to the bard with respect to promotions in the
dockyards and t‘ot he was not going to commence jobbing
for Mr. Stafford or anybody else, and witness requested that
web a proposition should a again be named to him.
Mr. Eden, of witness's department, entered the room
during the conversation and bend what witness said to
Mr. Grant.. On tho 3rd April, 1852, witness received the
confidential letter refemd to by Mr. Stafford, in his
speech in the ilouse of Commons, on the evening'
of 19 It April, 1863, to which witness replied
on the some d iy, and on the sth of the same
month "twos had a warm argument with Mr.
Stafford, at the Admiralty, during which he informed
witness that as his political friends were dissatisfied at tat
MAIM is which promotions and entries were made in the
dockyards, he bad no alternative but to cancel the circular
of September,lB49, and on witness pointing out the evil that
would arise from such a step,Mr. Stafford said,'•There's now
blinking the question, I am so pressed by the government I
cannot help 'omit'," adding, that he was ready to take all
the mponsibility on his own shoulders. The interview
ended by witness informing Mr. Stafford that if he cancelled
the order without taking any other step to rectify the evils
be stated existed, witness should consider it a personal
thing to himself. On the 19th of April, 1862, the circular
was cancelled by Mr. Stafford without the knowledge of
the beard, but no notice was sent to the yur, and he
only knew that sneh was the use by the dockyqd returns,
acknowledging its receipt. On the same day (21st April)
wanes. wrote the letter tendering his resignation, which
was addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty. (Them and
the other letters have already appeared in these 'columns.)
Witness read this letter to the Siaiff Naval Lord, Vice-
Admiral Parker, he being intsg•Mabely annaeted with wit-
ness's department, Captain Mikeiginfikpeolnat at the time.
Admiral P nge arker took the lee gni hirer he would
bring it bc.ore the board. Oa Om day Mewing the deli-
very of the letter, witness was seat for, and Admiral Parker
asked him if he would asset Mr. SWINE la his room, to
talk over the subject of the letter, whisk hare did ; mad
during that interview the order cusp,, tlba rear et
September, 1849, was warmly disemegis iBS Viol
again repeated what he had stated se le 11110 e se
" blinking the question." On wilmnenibliallb
ford that cancelling the cirealar are bre hi the air
Ratios of the superintendents el lbe ihelgerk NA
Stafford snared him that seek all Set his fates.
tioa, sail that be was tree le Idle any privets
letter witness might thiak Isere te thow to which re.
sr replied, " 1 regain r grab tormuretir sires
boo been a public act, eel us is be seellesi.ii.ll
public act," to whisk lye.dleilbel sod ho arwM
to a public letter base wet Witness =
Stafford that that was • for the to
then tc adored his ter that it was foe the
to say w hat was to Imo Stafford thee ter sash
of a circular be eogge•ed Amnia be brought Wen the
board for tisk dream be will um alteration
was made. Admire! Prose bed weree's letter in
his hand daring the laterview, sad which contained
his resigsatlon. On the. 27th of April, 1852, Admiral
Parker informed witness that the board had adored
the circurar in questigni to be east to the desk.
y and he thought wren ought to be sedmiled, to
which witless replied, that although it cleared his drew
ter,
ter, ha did not consider it arldiery, kr the beard bed
confirmed an or the seer hug bed been guilty of milkiest
their knowledge. Oa tbe >All of April, 1852, wires re-
dree4 a letter flag the Aiebelty, leidorg a copy of the
circular to the ruperintgelants of thedeskyards, dated
of April, 1832,whieh he coneklered us rower to the Mrs he
wrote tendering his rosiguatioa. (The hew was hate seed.)
Witness Lad no idea that letter bad est be, elislelly
brought forward, nor was he aware when be mete to the
boara on the 24th November, 1852, thee 11 bed bra
destroyed, for hen astborksid is dereeds• eo with.
drawal, and considered it had been before the board or
was on record. Witness wrote the letter of 21st April,
1852, in censegaence of as imputation having been east
upon his character, which the Board Circular, of 26th April
1832, had cleared up; bat finding that unjust promotions
were being made in the dockyards, and that the Circular d
February 1847 was not adhered to, he felt that he had •
duty to perform to the public, and this Wooed him to robe
the letter of May 10,1852, to the FiratLeedeftha
That letter witness requested Captain Pdbea teAdeiterdlit
the Duke of Northumberland, and witness reed a copy
it at the time to the first naval' rd, Admiral Father, who
remarked, " I think you are quite right, than is
like going to the fountain head." Witness seal
any reply to that letter. Oa the 22nd November, 181
witness received a note from Mr. Stafford, int:being Ad
mind Berkeley's intended notice to the Donee respecting
the correspondence between the Admiralty mad the Sop
veyor. Mr. Stafford wished to know what it sunset, as he
was not aware of any ; to which witness reglad that be
could not at that tints find it, the effigies brig at bie
residence,but that he had no doubt bh were at
Whitehall. On the fellowing=ned of
to Mr. Stafford replied
Sir George Peehell that there was MI Ma= Ida
the Surveyor of the Navy on the inkaNit of
the dockyards, and also that the deroyer of thiMbit
not tendered his resignation. On the bleb k
cosseting**, of the answer given by the disteehulfet
Admiralty in the House of Commons, whim wag, •
letter to the board, calling their attention Nttrlssen
of 21st April and 10th May, 1&52. Oa wiling
to the Admiralty on that day, the 25th, be wets-
that Mr. Stafferd wished to speak to him, and Mr.
Stafford commenced the cos.-- en by naming wit-
had la 10"

meet leStie, mid steriag_the aaswer he given.g tat
None of OMemMae. Witness then asked him " what
meld have Wood Ms to give each answers." Mr. Staf-
ford replied." What msuliges Dave had me say ?" Witness
answered. " Any bat
Lomat what you did say, for you know
that I tendered , and that mode days after
I wrote a letter to the Lord of the Admiralty.'. Mr.
Stafford stated that wan a private one, pointing at the same
time to what upon* to witness to be a copy of his letter
to the Rake oricerdivambetland on Mr. Stafford's table.
Witness observed that Ryas a letter from the Surveyor at
the Navy to the First Lard, sad left the room. Oa the
27th November, 1862, witness received the following
letter .
" Admiralty, Nov. 26,1862.
" With reference to your letter of lath instant, I am to
acquaint you that your letters of 21st April and 10th May,
referred to by you, do not appear to have reached the Record
department of this race, and say lords, therefore, request
you will transmit copies of those letters.—By command of
their lordships, " Avo. &arrow).
"Surveyor of the Navy."
- - -

Witness had copies made, sad wren the following latter
enelosiag them to the Secretary of the Admiralty:
" Somerset bone, Nov. 29, 1852.
"Sir,—With referees. to your letter of 26th instant, I
beg to acquaint yrot, that since my communication of the
250 instaat, I hays been informed that my letter of 21st
April, addroud to the Suratary of the Admiralty, which
was delivered to Vice• Admiral Hyde Parker, was not
brought before the Board, and with reference to the letter
of 10th May, it was a oommunication addressed to the First
Lad of the Admiralty, and not to the Secretary.-1 have
the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
" B. W. WaLuzi.
" Aug. Stafford, Seq., M.P., Secretary of the Admiralty."
" Somenet.house, Nov. 29, 1852.
rr referent.. to your letter of the 28th inst.,
1 beg to &equaled you that eines my rumination of the
26th inst., I have been informed that my letter of 2let
April, admired to the Secretary of the Admiralty, which
was delivered to Vioe-Admiral Hyde Parker, was not
brought bakes''the board ; sad with reference to the letter
of the 10th Ma, it was a cominunicabon addressed to the
Tint Lord et the Admiralty, copies of which I him to re-
Mees.—l have the beam to be, sir, year most ele&ent
servant, • s. W. WALLIS&
I A. filafford, Esq., 11. P., Admiralty."
Whams took it to Whitehall, but when he got there it
was late sad the isseabste bd I. it beteg Saturday. Wa-
sson took the iseitee lams, te smid ft on Moaday
morning. Da wham remdeed a note from
Mr. Stalked. tteeleZketabse: witness would meet him at
the Admiralty_ ea moesiag.
Nampa 9 mad
11 o'clock. Wham west there mesa after 9 o'clock
ems mw Mr. 11111114 take told wham that'
be had bit ea a aim of Milk/ the elhie if
witness maid sent NI tribes, and that If they
again dieted the Mk meld be ids,wh sad not Me.
Stafford's. " I," sestimeM wham. hha what it
wes." He said, " De net Ma the *mks et the WNW
sailed for." I add lila that I mast, for I had get aa tibia
letter to de se. Ea rem& me hard to agrm te his pre-
paid ; bat I did net ewe" stating that could set with
say propriety de so. Whams then left Mr. Stalked end
west to Admiral Parker, wad told him that he wee wise be
send in copies of the lenses (reed he had them in his Med at
the time)—one to the Dabs of Northumberieed, sad the
other tendering his realgueien, which be must reselket be
bad brought forward. Arkeleal Parker stated that he
tosad advised Maim before he treat them in
ss. the Tint Lard, which he did, and, mush
to hie surprise, his pees told him that he had
OM Olt heard of Miami's letter tendering his mig-
matite ; sad his gram Ml* with mach warmth, that, had
it bees gives to him, he Mudd have at aim taken ft to
Lew limb,. Witmer tembeded his pace that he had
spokes be witaies ea the selled of that busty sad. ea the

duke again repeating what he had said, withers told his
grace that he held in hie hand a copy of that letter, which
he wee at perfect liberty to make what lass he thought
proper of. About this time Admiral Parker entered the
roam, and witness 'apposed to him his 'surprise at hearing his
' gram state that he had not seen or beard of the letter ten-
' dines his resignation, upon which Admiral Parker reminded
the Doke that he had pot the letter into his grass's hand.
The admiral then informed witness that he had been think-
ing the matter over sines he bad left him, and that he did
not think witness's letter had been brought before the
board, and that he had en impression that it had been dm-
thqed. Witness immediately left the Admiralty, sued west
to Somerset-house, taking the letter and copies beck with
him, sad feeling much hurt and annoyed. Witness had
not been there long before Captain Milne tame to
him from Mr. Stafford with a request that be would
not send in copies of the letters. This point
tritons did not give in, but wrote another letter
stating that since his letter of 26th November he had been
informed that his letter of 21st April, 1852, which was
delivered to Admiral Parker, had not been brought before
the board, and that witness's letter of 10th May, 1852, was
addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty, and that he
begged to enclose copies, agreeably to their lordships' order
of the 26th inst. The letter, with the enclosures, witness
took to the Admiralty, and placed in the hands of Mr.
Stafford, who, oa opening it, expressed his surprise at
witness haring enclosed copies of the letter, as Captain
Milne had led him to believe that witness had promised to
withhold them. Witness assured him that he had not
made such a promise; and Mr. Stafford further stated
that it was of no use sending them in to be placed in the
record office, to be read by all the clerks; and he begged
witness to again see Captain Millie on the subject, which he
did, and witness was induced to give in the point, at that
officer's urgent request, who stated that then was no use
raking up en saw that had passed over, and from witness
fooling that Mr. Stafford had committed himself in having
given the answer he did in the House of Commons.
By the Noble Chairman—Have no promotions taken
placein the dockyard, from the data when Mr. Stafford was
firer appointed Secretary to the Admiralty, up to tad April,
18.12, when he wrote the letter to you that was read in the
Rouse of Commas, that would give cause for dissatisfac-
tion I—Witness wen not aware of any ; the only thing that
struck him at this messaist was in the ease of a person of
lower grade at Wissishi, which was ea arrangement made
by Mr. Stafford. isowthet theeireularis(lB49 wascancelled
without the knowiedin of the heard. teem being informed
of it by Admiral Pinker. 'Mame woe net aware of any man
War poomoted who had no vote, or wbo voted for the op-
jperiegulesti4perite.maAyt Sezorguspoiriti,cke: the
rg2the IL.Anspgriigl,
ffebort:Winetpse, Joseph Bridf way, and James Roney
inn advtossid to be sawyers without having been recom-
mended by the Superintendent; and the labourers who
were doing duties as sawyers who had been selected by the
officers of the yard as the best men, wen mat hack to per-
form the duties of labourers ; and two oe tares of them
voted fur Mr. Mare sad the other merriment candidate.
This was as Ishmael's of the Admiralty alveolars of 1547
and 1819. Os the del April, 1852 J. Ridgway, second clan
leatizinswi,ea of the meta) mills, Chatham, woe pameard
t to
be lent clams am without the mitammes of he
Fewer cob e ngeoesi him tale mewing to 11l the
simatiss. Ridgway Mad he the gememagat lasiidate.
These were ail peamatieme that teak Flan bibs the 10th
May, sad that Mimed mimosa to write the letter of that
date (atrunly pabilehet) to the Duke of Nee Berland.
Witness sent that letter M the Duke thmegh Csia
Pelham. Understood the shame marsimi the
power of making a letter eithergrease or Amid, USN&
ling as the might Wok It beet for the publie sinks. Praia
the 10th May to the Mid November witness heard so atero
of thew matters. The arrangements were taken out of
his hands. He had dime lie duty, and it wee he the'
Board to decide whetherithe Surveyor of the Na”, wee to
have control or not. Witness received no reply to his
letter to the Duke. Captain Pelham was private secretary
to his Orace. Witless ibis pososied to read the follow-
ing litter, which he GOMM be hail Admiral Parker's per-
mission to prods**, Modes M the esistionoe of the system
of unjust promethium is the dockyards. They were as
follows :

-- - - .
" WiaMadane Ferryhill, Oct. 8, 1852.
"My dear Walker,-1 WOG written to the Duke of Nor-
thamberlead about Mr. illailled M.iag appointed the
wafer smith is. Mahon to Pertmarrallst quite contrary
to ray °Oaks, aad ales a pense. Maks(
Wip *ivies@ it
is le as pahlbd. e swim, sad andeney to wkastratailfr. Sta-
lked) had It is really toe bad. sad is to
he made ealmarvient to party parpams. User Doke of
W will be detsiaed by this seem wind. I shall
be amble to hear of her arrival at Feelsmeatli. Ferryhill
is the proper direction to this .
" Yours most sincerer:i"
7" filigiFecaasna.
" W. B. Walker, Esq."
" Wellsbourne Hall, seer enteric/. Oet. 19, 1862.
"My dear Walker,-1 have wilS yea strongly twice
te the Duke, respecting the came. cants
s= removed
from Portal= uth by_ Mr. litaillseL The letter he
has not answered. You I Mikes aces ascaskam,
to write strongly and peiblieV es the head. fiat It ma, re-
main as • record. I have hem mash awasjed ea the w
subject, sad hays told the Dohs that if ram le "be held
responsible for the speedy egagmeat of the lent, it Is quite
impassible for me to do so, if the embalmed' are made
without any regard for the pablie sere Ms. bat by
.private
favour. So it is ; sad it is really gale Megvetiag. ' Bat'
you must not give way on a single, poi% or we shall not
carry it through.
" Yours most sincerely,
" B. W. Walker, Esq." " Erna Padua.
~: By Sir B. Hall—l understood you te that ea the 6th
a April you had an interview with Mr. nod had
as argument with him on the attrition aide, with
referees* le the circular of .
_1(149 and that elated
his polities& hinds were dissaliMed; Eget Ito wadi meal
that drawler. awl that aped peek /sheiks tea the sells
that would rush ham it. Mr. Eel WI -8, Mese was ae
yes is Waling the quesdesh he we se premed by the Er
mamma he ;maid amt help limealL" Now, when lir.
MAW aril see of that aspeesden did he mention the
ease deny member of the geneemmeent who had premed
his Is lam this asset
Mr B. Walker—He did.
_. _ _
_ _. . _

air B. Hail—Whose mom Ai be madam ?

WI; ene7iit;;;dthonis7; of Lord Derby
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir B. Hall—What did he say with referents to theme
gentlemen having premed him ?
Sr B. Walker—Perhaps the term "government" was a
wrong term for me to us. Hie expression was, " It is of no
use blinking the question. and I am so pressed by Lord
Derby and the Chancellor of the Exchequer that I cannot
help myself." That was again repeated ia the preemies of
Admiral Parker daring the interview I had on the subject
of tendering my reeigsation.
Sir B. Hall—Did Kr. Stafford appear to Imply that he
received orders free Kw sheathers of the adatinietratios
you have named to adept the course he had than takes
Sir B. Walker—l aim to that oeselmitm.
Kr. Walter Bads, if tbe Surveyor's Oise, Somentet
Hesse, wee then and deposed to Istria' been pre-
sent when the oonversalba took place between Sir. B.
Walker sad Mr. Great, end to the delivery of the
in the boa at the Admiralty. Its the coarse of his
experience he lad never known papan or documents lost
in the wa these la quads' had hem.
Admiral Parker was aisi exaselned at great length, and
deposed condrmativelyM meet of the particulars contained
in Sir B. Walker's evidesen He .La stated that he had
destroyed the letter of sedsnation thinking that the busi-
ness it related to wsa millise, and pease sada It never
was 80481E4 to dr bard.

kospisi sod fir. Pesmai, clerks at the Admiralty,
were this eallad to preys from the amit* beaks of the
Barri of Admiralty that thsee was ao shunts with re-
format to the circular of mmodmist, sad that marsh had
hem mods at the Adadirobs hi the Tubes =Wag dam-
ammte. but that as yet they lad met boss MM.
The nab Chairmen Aim impaired Agate It would be
death's. is solar to iihe time for iimmemase the sel-
dom. to
_adbara briber preseadio. to Saturday. Per-
haps Mr. llMSard would tell tho 'madam what his fool-
imps wen ma Ore
Mr. emlbril—f&we bad bettor gess to-mserow.
The mate Chairman—Then the moomittes will adjoant
to 11 e'dodi to-monew.
ldr.llllmarrd—Aud I will be the int withers.
.

The usesittie lbws adjoarsad, laving sat has 11 until
4 o'clook.

PROPOSED NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INVENTIONS
—The stayer of Manetester has received the following re-
ply from the Board of Trade, to the memorial from artist
number Medico printers and manufacturen in Manches-
ter, in favour of the formation of a anemia library of all
mechanical and scientific works on inventions, and the
establishment of an exhibition of machines sad models:—
" Oboe of Commune. of Privy Council for Trade, White-
hall, 22nd April, 1853.—5ir,-1 am directed by the Leeds
of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade he aehnew-
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 1111 h indent. mesissing
a numerously-signed memorial from Memaseeratt,
their lordships to give every facility for the test =3
the proposition made by his Royal Memos Prises
for the formation of a national library at all mashashelAll2
scientific works on inventions, and the edabilekmeat Ot ea
exhibition of =whines and models. Timis haddlige direct
me, in reply, to acquaint you, for the tallsmatisa et the
memorialists, that the subject of the formstism Ma anneele
of inventions is one which must naturally esmmSmi Moir
best sympathies, recognising, as they do, the impsolmes le
the interests of science and commerce of the }wean M
accurate knowledge upon all matters relating to inemtheis.
The memorialists will be aware that the Palest Law
Amendment Act (15 and 16 Vic., c. 83), whereby the gust
of letters paten: for inventions is now 'ageless/, piste the
whole subject of inch inventions noise the salad at the
Commissioners of Patents, to whom my hods wOl lessamit
a copy of the memorial, and at the some lime Mies diet
their lordships will be happy to rerMar to the emendesigoort
any assistance which it may be IS their power to she
towards an object so likely to prostate the good of the saw
amaity.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient ser-
vant, JAMB Boors —Robert Barnes, Esq., Re., Town
Ball, lilignehester."
THE AMENDED BILL ON AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS.
—Yesterday the bill, as amended, was printed. There is
only one provision as to ase.ults. For any
swank an a female or male child net exceeding 1414r=
eon ha loud to 202., or committed for a period net essesdag
is undo, with w bird labour. A mistake hes
boa saametained or
thatithout " dogging " is imposed by the MIL
The rid of the bill relates to resogniassees to km; the
pesos. No one is to be imp:rimmed to a leader yed thenLl swaths to limp the paps.
Mr. PRITCHARD, R.N., has beta waisted Seam
lazy to the Admiralty Mad reshot Mloidloi at
doatiamplea.