The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-13 00:00:00

THE CLUB DINNER.

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In the evening the members of the club, to the number
of 75, dined at the Salisbury Hotel, his Grace the Duke of
Richmond, president of the dub, in the chair. Theriawere
also present Lords Earners and Walaingliam, General
Hood, and many of the leading farmers and breeders of
England. On the removal of the cloth, the Chairman
gave in succession " The Queen," " The Prince of Wales,
and the rest of the Royal Family." With respect to the
first toast, he thought that the present was a most aus-
picious moment for proposing her Majesty's health, seeing
that she had so recently emerged from the retirement of
years, and had again appeared before the people. (Laud
cheers.) As to the Prince of Wales, he had ventured to
suggest tohis royal highness that the genuine Southdowas
would be admirably adapted for his royal highness's Norfolk
property. (Cheers and laughter.) " The Army and Navy"
were then given, and responded to by General Hood'
after which the chairman proceeded to give the toast of
the e " Success to the SmithfieklClnb.” Noticing
llf &CCM, !As graile ft/marked that fl
was ounded in 1798, and that at its first show in Goswell-
street the receipts for three days amounted to 401. 31.
This year the receipts for two days were expected. to
reach to 2,0001. (Loud cheers.) The club consisted ongi-
natty of only 50 members, but now it numbered 300 mem-
bers. Iu Itl2l the then Duke of Bedford moved that the
club should be dissolved, but Sir J. Sebright moved an
amendment, and to that amendment they owed the con-
tinued existence and present success of the club. After a
few observations on the several advantages of the club
in bringing all dames of agriculturists together, his grace
concluded by giving " Success to the Smithfield Club."
The toast was responded to with much fervour, after
which the distribution of prizes was proceeded:
with. Mr. Stratton, on receiving his medal as breeder
of the prize ox, remarked that cattle were not now
so good as they had been twenty . years before.
He strongly recommended judicious crossing, and atten-
tion to the Scotch polled breeds. Lord Earners, on re-
ceiving his prize for sheep, made a few judicious remarks
on that class of stock, which were highly appreciated by
the company. Lord Walsingham, the winner of the
Southdown class, then addressed the company, and pro-
posed "The Health of General Hood, the president for
1867." After which the remaining toasts were disposed of
and the party broke up. The dinner was excellent, and
the arrangements reflected the highest credit on Mr. Lewis,
the manager of the hotel.

THE SEIZURE OF A SUPPOSED FENIAN VESSEL
IN THE MEDWAY.

CHATHAM, WEDNESDAY.

The screw war steamer Bolivar, which was al-
leged to have been fitted for service in South America
when seized by order of the government, under the cir-
cumstances already detailed, still remains in charge of the
officials, with a strong guard of Royal Marines, under the
command of an officer on board, to prevent her leaving
the river, and to allow no unauthorised persons to have any
communication with her. A minute search of the vessel
made yesterday, by order of the government, failed to dis-
cover any official papers or documents which would bear
out the statement of those on board that she was intended
for service in South America when her seizure was ordered.
As already stated she was without colours of any kind,
and no description of flag has been discovered on
bowl. Since her arrival in the Medway from
the river Tyne, and before the order was sent
down from the government for her seizure to be
made, she shipped 32 barrels of gunpowder, together
with en unusually large quantity of warlike stores,
consisting of revolvers, rifles, bayonets, swords, &c.,
some of which were stated to have been put on board in
the Tyne before she left Shields. The Bolivar carries an
armament of two 41/pounder and two 20-pounder wrought
iron rifled guns of the Blakely pattern, but she is pierced
to mount an additional number of guns at her broadside.
The crew on board at the time she was seized consisted of
eight stokers and firemen, four able seamen, sad two ordi-
nary seamen, together with three officers, who describe
themselves as " lieutenants," and two engineers. The re-
mainder of the crew was intended to be shipped from this
port on the arrival of the steamer in tbe Medway. The
hand.; ?.t.-.te that they j„!ned the vessel at North
Shields, from which port they sailed en Weanesilay last ;
that they were never called on to sign articles, and
fast they were in entire ignorance of the character of the
vessel. On going on hoard, they state they were informed
that the Bolivar was intended to proceed on a cruise
along the north-west coast of Amenca, and in the North
Pacific, and that she was to be employed in putting down
smuggling and piracy. They were also informed that it
was probable they might have to do " a little fighting."
I)uring yesterday afternoon a gentleman, who stated his
name to be Henry Little, arrived on board, and informed
those in charge of the ship that he had been appointed
captain of her. He was at once referred to Admiral Sir
Baldwin Walker, commander-in-chief, to whom he stated
that the Bolivar was one of three iron-steamers built in
this country, under the sanction of the late Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, for one of thegovcrnments of South
America, what purported to be an official docu-
ment to that effect being at the same time produced to
Sir Baldwin Walker. Two of the ships had already left
this country for South America, and the Bolivar was about
following them, when she was detained by the govern-
ment. During the time Captain Little was on board he
produced a flag, believed to be the Peruvian colours, he
bad brought with him, and this was hoisted at the mast-
head for a short time. This morning, Captain Little pro-
ceeded to London. for the purpose, as he stated, of consult-
ing with the minister of the country to which the vessel
was ostensibly proceeding when she was detained. The
first officer, who left the vessel at the time she was seized,
has returned on board. The Bolivar has been removed
up the harbour, and is lying moored near Blackstakes, her
3lajesty's steamer Lizard also lying near her to prevent
her leaving the river. The river police are also on duty
near her to allow of nothing being removed from the ship.

SEIZURE OF THE WAR STEAMER BOLIVAR.