The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-09 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING .111 RCH 9 1855.

POLAND AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE.

PUBLIC MEETING.

( Front the Manchester Guardian of Wednesday. )

On Monday evening, a public meeting was held in the
Town Hall, "to consider the importance of the Aling-
dom of Poland as an independent state in her relations
to Europe." The large room was crowded. ';pith a very
respectable audience • amongst those upon the platform
being the Rev. Dr:Vaughan, Messrs. J. A. Turner,
Absalom Watkins, 'William Martin, N. F. Zaba (on be-
half of the Society of the 'Friends of Poland), Joseph
Adshead, J. R. Cooper, S. I. Samson, Isaac Gregory,
Dr. Hudson, Hugh Warburton, &c.
Mr. WILLIAM MARTIN (of Altrincham) took the chair,
on the motion of the Rev. Dr. Vaughan. He said that
if he could have known five minutes before that he
would have been called upon to occupy such a position,
he should not have been present at all ; and he had only
consented to assume it, 'on the assurance that he
would not be required to express any opinion of his
own, but simply to keep order. With the permission
of the meeting, he would assume it to be their wish that
any person who wished to speak in opposition should be
heard with patience, after the speakers who had posses.
sion of the meeting should have concluded ; but until
then any attempts to interrupt the meeting should be
put down (Applause.) The chairman read a letter
from the town-clerk, stating that Mr. Alderman Barnes
(who had promised to take the chair) was indisposed
and confined to bed - and expressing Mr. Barnes's re•
gret that he would,-therefore, be unable to be present..
Mr. JAMES A.SPINALL TURNER proposed the first re-
solc.ii on :
" That this meeting would express its high admiration of the
patriotism and courage which have so long characterised the
Polish nation, would avow its sincere sympathy with that
noble people, under their many and ptotracted wrongs; and
should the issue of the present war be favourable to the res-
toration of Poland to her ancient rank as an independent king-
dom, would press it earnestly on the Cabinets of the Allies to
use every means in their power, toward the accomplishment of
that end."

He said that his heart was sincerely with Mr. Zaba, and
the friends he represented on the present, occasion. It
was bis disposition to express sympathy and to feel kind-
nesS' for any private individual who was suffering from
distress and injustice ; and he was sure that an audience
such as he saw before him entertained most cordially
the same feelings. But when, instead of an individual,
it was a large people, who not only now, but for_many
years past, had been suffering great injustice and wrong,
the people of Manchester, whenever they had an oppor-
tunity of meeting and expressing sympathy, would not
fail to do So. The "wrongs of Poland" ba'l become
almost proverbial. It was not for him to say exactly
what ought to have been done when Austria, Prussia,
and Russia were committing the grievous wrong of par-
titioning Poland. Perhaps it would have been well had
we made the stand at that time—(applause)—which
we had now been also compelled to make. Russia
broke down the barrier of Poland, because she cast a
wistful eye on Prussia, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway, in order that she might reach the Atlantic
Ocean ; and those countries, since the barrier was broken
down, had been trembling lest the barbarian troops of
Russia should make their way in that direction. A.
stand against the partition of Poland might at the time
have involved all Europe in war ; but the history of
Europe would have been very different if it had been
made. None of them perhaps could conjecture what
would he the course of events in consequence of that re-
markable event which had taken Europe by surprise.
The tyrant of Russia had been called to his long account,
and he was afraid it would be a very black one. (Ap-
plause.) They would not comment upon the dead, but
they would hope that his successor might have a more
peaceable and moderate disposition. But if the Czar
Alexander fulfilled the expectations generally entertained
of him, God grant that he would be able to put down
the fanatical spirit of which his younger brother Con-
stantine was the representative. They all earnestly
desired peace, for they, had suffered, from the war, and
I should still suffer more; but he hoped that in a just
cause they would bravely and nobly endure this suffer-
ing:—(loud applause)—but if the negotiations should
take a turn to enable peace to be made, so that in the
final settlement it could be arranged to restore Poland
to her ancient rank, every man present, he was pure,
would rejoice to see her the barrier for the west against
the encroachments of the eastern barbarians. (Ap-
plause.)
Mr. ABSALOM WATKINS, who was received with ap-
plause, seconded the resolution. The Russian autocrat,
he said, was dead, and he hoped there was nothing im-
pious or improper in asserting his belief that the prayers
of the widows and orphans from 10,000 homes, who had
been made such by his ruthless ambition, had been heard
and answered from Heaven. (Hear, hear, and a few
hisses.) He could not understand how any Englishman,
recollecting the-sufferings of our soldiers in the Crimea,
could.do otherwise than rejoice at the death of the man
who was the great obstacle to peace. (Applause.) He
(Mr. Watkins) knew nothing of that conventional form.
which, in the Upper, House of 'Parliament, induced a"
noble lord to move that all considerations relating to the
war should be adjourned. He did not believe that the
policy of Russia had died with the Emperor Nicholas.
(Hear, hear.) He believed that the duty of that noble
lord was to have moved the carrying on of the war with
vigour until we bad conquered peace. (Hear, hear.)
He did not believe that we should ever have a peace
that would be worth having—a hollow peace we might
have, and one that suited the convenience of our enemy
—until we had thoroughly humbled the pride and power
of our despOtic adversary. (Hear, hear.) In the pur-
suit of that end we must not forget the restoration of
Poland to her right of independence. (Hear.) The in-
justice which was perpetrated in that country 60 or 80
years ago still rankled in the minds of her brave sons,
who longed for the restoration of their nationality, and
the relief of the wrongs under which they groaned.
No greater barrier against the power of Russia
could exist than the reconstitution of the Polish na-
tion. The Poles were brave and ready to fight, but they
were compelled to fight in the ranks of our adversary—
unwilling sabjects, unwilling soldiers. But they had re-
ceived no encouragement from the allies. He was sure
the Poles would not lack our sympathy, and hoped the
period would soon arrive when the successes of the allied
forces would render it not only proper, but expedient,
and also an easy acts to accomplish the restoration of
Poland. (Applause.)
The resolution passed unanimously and with applause.
The Rev. Dr. VAUGHAN, who was warmly -applauded,
moved the adoption.of the following petition :

- -
To the Lords Spiritual ana Prehiporal of the United Kingdom

of Great Biltain and Ireland ia Parliament assembled

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the City of Manchester.
Your pi-A.1011ml; humbly represent to your right honourable
house that Russia is proved, by the experience of the past
yeAr, to have prepared vast naval armaments and strongholds,
both in the Black Sea and the Baltic, which are incompatible
with the safety and independence of neighbouring states, and
which afford evidence of aggressive and menacing designs,
dangerous not only to the present but to the future tran-
quillity of Europe. That the territory acquired by Russia
from adjacent countries since 1772 is greater in extent and
importance than the whole empire she possessed iu Europe
before that period ; and that every portion of her vast acqui-
sitions from Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and Persia have bean
obtained in opposition to the interests of Great Britain. That
by seizing on the principal part of ancient Poland, Russia has
acquired immense resources in a military point of view ; the
fertile plains on which are grown almost all the corn that she
exports to western Europe ; a numerous and Ntarlike popula-
tion ; and a position protected by rivers, morasses, and for-
tresses of the first class; situated in the centre of Europe, and
giving her a preponderating influence over the courts of Ger-
many, of Sweden, and of Turkey ; and that, in the belief of
all competent authorities, no treaties of peace can insure the
permanent tranquillity of Europe, unless the Polish nation be
re-established in complete independence of Russian control.
Your petitioners humbly submit to your right honourable
house that upwards of 100,000 Polish soldiers, forming a very
large part of the Russian armies, by whose hands so
many of her Majesty's most gallant subjects have fallen, are
serving in the ranks of our enemies by compulsion. That the
forcible abduction from their homes of all the youths of Po-
land, and their expatriation for military service in distant
parts of the Russian empire, for the period of twenty-five
years, a service from which few ever return, is one of the nu-
merous grievances which render the Russian Government in
Poland odious and intolerable to every Polish family ; and
that the adoption by the Western Powers of a policy which
should promise the Poles a liberation from this liabi-
lity would paralyse the armies of Russia. . That Polish
auxiliaries would enthusiastically co-operate in a war,
having for its object to restrict the empire of the Czar
within its ancient limits, and to restore the kingdom
of Poland, and. would powerfully contribute towards en-
abling Europe to obtain a material guarantee against
the recurrence of such a necessity for war as now painfully
affects all her Majesty's loyal subjects. That it is by strength-
ening the states in the neighbourhood of Russia, and at the
same time diminishing her territory, that the aggressiVe power
of the Czar can alone be effectually and permanently weak-
ened, and a secure and honourable peace be obtained. There-
fore, we humbly entreat your right hon. house to present an
address to her Majesty, praying that the war, having been
undertaken in the cause of justice against oppression, as much
favour may be shown towards Poland as towards Turkey, and
this the more especially as we have a clear right, by the
treaty of Vienna, to protect the Polish nation.—And your
petitioners will ever pray, &c.

Dr. Vaughan explained that M. Zaba was present, on
behalf of the "Associated Friends of Poland," in London.
Over that association the late Lord Dudley Stuart pre-
sided for many years, and his place was now supplied
by Lord Harrowby. The association included, besides
Lord Shaftesbury, many persons distinguishe2l by the
nobleness of their sympathies with the cause of religious
and civil liberty upon the continent of Europe. When
he (Dr. Vaughan) consented to take part in that meet-
ing, he did net anticipate that his name would have been
put so prominently before the public of Manchester ; but
he was not the man to shrink from the discharge of what
appeared to him to be a duty on account of little irregu-
larities. We were all of us now placed in circumstances
in which we felt, if we were to be a great people, that
union must be our strength. The wrongs of Poland were a
matter about which there could scarcely be a division of
judgment, and they bad met to say that, should the
issue of the present struggle allow of it, the future set-
tlement of Europe should include the restoration of Po-
land to its ancient independence. Since entering the
room he had been asked, in writing, to give his opinion
about the' justice or injiHtice of the war. He had no
objection upon earth to say what he thought. (Loud
applause.) Certainly, if the war itself were not just, it

• , . .
hardly becadie us to be talking about justice to Poland.,
(Hear, hear.) -They were supposed to he-satisfied. that
the 'war itselr was just, and they hoped to take into the
y.
sphere, over which it would extend the eleMent of jug;
tice, prolabi Poland as well as Turkey. • (Hear, hear.)
He should be sorry to, have any hesitancy in siAtieg in.
Manchester, ;or any place 'dr presence, therea.sons whitli
convinced him that the war was a just wasee-which.eon-
vinced him that it was a war which England had not
sought—a war whicheEngland would havegladly avoided
—but a war in the midst of which England had been.
placed by Providence, and where it behoved us to acquit
ourselves with ell the courage, and with all the endur-
ance, And with all the wisdom that we might. It was
a great mistake to suppose that this war with Russia
was a great accident. There was no accident in it at
ail. It was not a huge misfortune that would never have
come About, but for the foolish talk of 'this man, and
eo•ne silly doing of the other. It was a very shallow phi-
losophy which taught that great events ever came from
little causes. (Hear, hear.) Dr. Vaughan then pro-
ceeded at some length to describe the progress cf the ne-
gotiations and events which preceded the 'liar, from the
first diplomatic correspondence as to the 4oly places to.
the affair at inope. Referring to the dismissions on the
" balance of power," he said -that some asked, "But
this equilib: him of Europe, is it not a fiction ? See to
what evils it hal led,. what injustice it has iivolved," and
the like. This was easily said ; but, with submission, it
was no great proof of any man's wisdom to say it. (hear,
hear.) There never hal been a cluster of nations, small
and great, as the nations of Europe were, whether in a
civilised or comparatively barbarous condition, but this
idea of a balance of power had come into recogni-
tion, and a system growing out of it bad been worked
into shape, and always acted upon. It was very true
that the ayetern might lead to many wars; that there
might bo involved in the working of it many particular -
instances of injustice. But this was saying no more than
could be said of the government system of any nation. We
felt, hoivever, that the worst government was better than
absolute anarchy ; and so this ateempt to keep down some
one great power, by a,combinat.ion of lesser powers that
should balance it, and tell it effectively that it must keep
within its bounds, was absolutely necessary. (Loud ap-
plause.) If the English Government, with the- know-
le Igo they were now proved to have pesses=ed, had i
said to the Turkish Cabinet, after all the dernauds of
Prince Meeschikoff, "You must suspect nothing amiss
at St. Petersburg—you must consent to all that is re-
quired of you—and inasmuch as you are told that the
Emperor of Ruseia, does not mean anything that shall I
infringe the independence of Turkey, you must believe
that he does not ;" if our Government, with its know.
ledge, could have said that, our Government should
have been impeached for treason. (Applause.) After
the most careful Stade- and reflection upon all the cor-
respondence and facts of the case, his conclusion was,
that to declare that the' Governments of England sunk
France were to bo blamed for this war, was about ass
just as to say that a man who resisted the attack of a
housebreaker was to be condemned, and not the house, 1
breaker, whose attack had made that resistance nece
sary. (Applause.) And more particulary so, when that
41
housebreaker had been hovering about that neighbour-
hood, suspiciously armed, for a long time, and had at
length made his way into the house—had got possession
of'the two best apartments and all he could find iii them
—and threatened the master, unless all his demands
were complied with, he would at once take possession
of more. We had gone into this war to preserve Tur-
key, not to'serve the Turks • not to oppress.nationalities,
but to secure to the nationalities of Turkey larger liberty
under the sway of the Sultan than they could ever hope
to have under the sway of the Czar ; not to encourage
bigoted Mahommedans in the persedution of Christian
sects, but to secure to Christian sects greater liberty
under the sway of the Sultan than the Czar was
wont to allow to such sects in his other dominions.
(Applause.) We were at war, not to uphold rotten des-
potisms, but rather to break up the fraternisation of des-
potisms. For all those objects it- was indispensable that
the power of Russia should be repressed ; if Czarism was
not to be curbed, he saw no prospect for the security of
European liberty. (Applause.) The result of the war
might be, and he hoped it would be, that in additien to
all other points to be settled as the basis of peace, we
might make this a point—" And that the ancient king-
dom of Poland be restored to her true and proper inde-
pendence." (Loud cheers.) To restore Poland would
be to rear up a great rampart along the whole- line be-
tween'Russian power on the one side and the more hope-
ful nations of Europe on the other. Austria.aod Prussia
might be made to see that they would be gainers by such
a reconstruction of the map of -Europe. Austria never
went cordially into the partition of Poland ; it was the
work of Prussia and Russia; but both Austria and
Prussia were now paying the penalty of the brigand do-
ings to which they were partners—for theY had brought
Russia down close upon their territories, and made every
inch of those territories insecure. There was every
reason to believe that Austria would be a party to
the restoration of Poland ; the great ditfletlty would
be with Prussia ; and from what we lia4 seen of
Prussia of late, there -was no reason to be very
delicate as to how things might shape themselves in
relation to his Majesty of that kingdom. (Hear, hear.)
In conclusion, Dr. Vaughan said—Czarism, we are told,
is not dead ; but let us not be disheartened. If we
have to deal with it, let us not go to it in a craven spirit.
Have you never known, in the history of individuals,
that some of the best actions of 'their liver have been
those which have proved to them most costly ? Never
did WS noble country of ours give itself to an enter-
prise in a more generous spirit than it ha: given itself
to this war enterprise. Mistaken, or not, it has been
untselfisb, as a movement to aid the weak against the
strong—to:uphold the free and the civilise( against the
servile and the barbarous. It must be °ins ,not indeed
to be blind to such things as come to us about the suffer-
ings in the. Crimea—not to be indifferent totbe derange-
ments and privations that come at home, sr that may,
come ; but that we allow not our thoughts io render us
insensible to the true significance of this struggle, as a
grand question of right and wrong. Patience; my noble-
hearted countrymen ! The -stout in heart kitow how to
wait as well as to work L—how to endure as well as to
dare—how as well as how to be
so
the last taint
of the sordid, the selfish, the servile, the fearful I Let
ber
in
the tobrhigophet
onein th l
the dark
us dayeast
away
us count that we live only as we live to be just, and ge-
nerous, and neble ! (Loud cheers.)
adoption of the
petYtiro.nj,°wBEhPichAwDassiltolLible SfeuC:adredledtifroer prElsentation to
the House of Lords by the Earl of liarrolvby, and to
the House of Commons by the. Right non., T. M-.
Gib-
son, Esq., M.P.
The petition was adopted with applause. -
Mr. Geom.]) moved the third resolution :
" That this meeting desires to express its sympathy for
Poland and her exiled sous, and that the address now read
embodying those sentiments be adopted and transmitted to
the Prince Adam-Czartoryski, that he-may communicate it to
'his countrymen.. .. - ,
" The three great principles of humanity, justice,- and free-
dom, are identified with the problem of the re-establishment
of the independence of Poland, audits solution becomes daily
of greater 'importance to the intercsts.of Europe. We con-
template. with poignant` grief the events if the past which
have a reference to the melancholy fate of Poland. Her dis-
memberment reflects a discredit upon the spirit of the times,
but we chiefly deplore the indifference with which Great
Britain beheld the consummation of that act of spoliation.
HoWever, we aro inclined to ascribe that apathy more to the
want of proper knowledge of foreign affairs than to the in=
fluence of unfriendly feeling. -We are now anxious to make a
compensation for what we consider to have been a grave poli-
tical error, by the manifestation of our sympathy and a desire
to support the claims of Poland to her national independence.
Under the influence of such sentiments wo address your high-
ness, hoping that our sympathy now conveyed in words to
you, and to your fellow-exiles, maybe :Soon written by deeds,
which will realise your wishes and vindicate the rights of
nations."

Mr. ISAAC GREGORY seconded the resolution, and ex-
pressed a hope that the approaching treaty at Vienne
would accompany what neither Napoleon the First, nor
the old treaty, nor England, nor France had accom-
plished, namely, the restoration of Poland ; and said he
believed that if a vigorous voice were expressed in all the
large towns of the kingdom, England and France would
be roused to discharge their long-neglected duty. (Hear.)
The address was cordially adopted.
M. ZABA, a Pole, urged the necessity of never ceasing
to combat injustice and tyranny, for to disregard that
duty on the plea of obtaining the settlement. of peace
would only be the source of continuous calamities.
(Hear, hear.) This truth was strikingly illustrated in
the history of man, but unfortunately we seldom profited
by the experience of the past. He could not kelp re-
garling the present war with, Russia as a retributive
penalty which had heavily fallen upon Europe for having
suffered with indifference the aggressive spirit -of Russia,
to march forward and to grew into a giant strength at
the expense of justice. (Hear.) Russia, before the dis-
memberment of Poland was without political influence
in the councils of European states ; but Poland was the
safeguard of western civilisation, keeping back the pres-
sure of the eastern barbarism of the Muscovites, the
Tartars, and the Turks. There was in the Polish lan-
guage a proverb which said that "If you allow a bear
to put his paw upon yourself, he is sure in a short time
to crush you with his weight." (Hear, and laughter.)
The truth of this proverb was perfectly illustrated
with regard to Russia. There was no 'doubt that
Russia aimed at universal dominion. The noble lion
and the golden eagle bad, however, been startled by the
presumption of the northern bear, and entered into a
compact to keep it in abeyance ; but unfortunately by
acting from the generous impulse of their nature, they
did not like to attack the Russian bear in the weakest
part, but tried at the strongest. (Applause and laughter.)
If the noble lion and the golden eagle had taken the
white eagle,—that was Poland,—into their councils,
Russia would have been taught a good lesson. And
even at this moment, if we were anxious to muzzle the
Russian bear, we must ask Prince Czartoryski to stir
him up with the POles—(laughter)—who would effect
what our cannons and Minid rifles had not accomplished
at Sebastopol, aed would have done the work without
the enormous sacrifice of life and treasure. (Applause.)
The Poles took great interest in the foreign enlistment
bill, and wanted a Polish legion to have been organised,
not as mercenaries but as allies, with the avowed object
of the re-establishment of the natiopaiity of Poland.
(Applause.) No doubt there Were difficulties, but be
did nut believe that England could be placed in greater
difficulties than she experienced at present. (Hear.)

SeLastop 01, and the Russian navy,
Inhde
edveesnt rtuhceti
losse 1 I f
o
the Crimea would be only paring
the nails of the giant. .41- . Zaba concluded by saying
that if Poland's claims were neglected, and she once ac•
quired the conviction that ..sh e could expect no sympathy
from the western power, then the Poles would be
which DI ight at a future time bring
caacutusealwlyitchlrivßeunsjito become it nsia,.,,ians, and make common
about European calamities of• even a more sanguinary
character. (Applause.l .
On the motion of the Bee -. Dr. VAUGHAN, a vote of
thanks was given to the chat man,. and the meeting ter-
minated at a quarter past ten o'clock.

NAVAL AND MILITARY firITALLIGLI77O.I4,

~...... ---_-.

The Royal George, 102 g', screw steam-ship, left'
Sheerness yesterday, under stoam power, at 2.3 pan ,
for Portsmouth, having repaired the.defect and damage
to her starboard waste pipe.
The Orion, 91, new screw-ship, Captain Erskine, was
undocked on the 6th inst., and taken, down to Gilling-
ham-reach to take in her guns and ammunition. The
provisions and water.will also be shipped immediately.
She will then be realy for sea. Her.engines were tried
on the 7th inst., and were 'found to work admirably.
This magnificent screw line-of-battle ship is the first of
her class designed by the preient Surveycir of the Navy,
and from the time of the first plank being worked to
the-present period is only 15 Months: is an.
prec:cdentedly short time to finish so large a ship and
fit her for sea complete in every respect.
The James Watt, 91, Captain Ciliot, has been. re-
moved from the dock and into the steam basin at Ports-
mouth to complete her refit ; her machinery will be
re-adjusted and ready for trial on the 20th.
The Majestic screw stearn-shig is to leave, Sheerness
for Portsmouth an Saturday next. '
The Edinburgh, 58, Captain Hewlett', is to be out of
band at Portsmouth on the 14th inst.

The Arrogant, 46, Captain Yelverton, has, received
orddrs, to complete -scores at Spithead for six months.
She shipped her powder and shell yesterday.
The Falcon, 16, Commander Pullen, is orderei to re-
turn into Portsmouth harbour, from Spithead, to have
the well of her screw altered. -

The Centaur,-&, paddle-frigate, Captain Clifford, is now
.Complete in her rig, and will leave th, basin at Ports-
mouth to-day. Sue has commenced out: ard painting.
The Ariel, 9, Commander Luce, having had her screw
well altered, will be unlocked, and rtaly to rejoin the
fleet at Spithead to-day.

The following promotions have been made, although
;they have not been officially given out at the Admi-
Talty ;
, A ssistant-Surgeons. —James Henrr, borne on the books
.of the Impregnable, for service at Plymouth Hospital ;
and Janes Wade (b), recently serving in the Resistance,
have been promoted to be 'surgeons.
Lieut. Beville G. W. Nicolas. (1849), recently serving
Atophion, has been appointed to commission and
command the Teazer gun-vessel, at Woolwich.
Captain James Willcox (1850) has arrived at Wool-
wich, and taken the command of the Odin steam-frigate.
Surgeon William T. Billings has been appointed to
the Melsnpus.

A-ssistani-Surgeons—James Holt, t 3 tho Hastings ;
James Young, M.D., to the Tyne.
Acting Assistant-Surgeon P. W. Wallale, M.D., to
the Arrogant.
Clerk George B. B. Brown, to the Centaur.
Midshipmaa T. D. Bedford, fro:n the Sampson, to
the Vulture.

Lieutenant-Colonel St. George will proceed to the
Crimea in charge of the 32-pounder field battery.

The Himalaya steam-ship arrived about 10 o'clock cn
Tuesday morning at Queenstown.

The Arabia screw steam transport, Captain Judkins,
left Portsmouth for Liverpool yesterday. It is reported
she has been engaged by the drench Transport Board.
The Harkaway sailing transport left Portsmouth har-
bour yesterday, for the Crimea, with a large supply of
victualling stores, from the Royal Clarence-yard.
The Horatio steam-frigate, now in the fitting basin at
Sheerness, has landed all her guns, and is preparing to
receive tyro of the monster mortar guns invented by.
Nasmyth. The guns will be of the following dimen-
sinus : Length, 10 feet 6 inches. D.ameters as follows
—at -bore, 13 inches ; muzzle, 31i inches ; base, 40
inches ; weight, 23 tons or thereabout. It is slung on
the principle of Captain Julius Roberts's plan, similar to
the sea service mortar, and will throw a solid spherical
shot of 302.41 b. with a charge of 30th. of powder. A.
short time only will be required to fit the Horatio for
immediate service.

By the arrival of the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steam-ship Indus at Southampton we learn on
the night of the 15th of February her Majesty!s steam-
sloop Gorgon Euccercird in gctting the Ilecla steamer
alloat horn off the Eastern beach, where she had been
aground since the morning of the 23d of January.