The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-15 00:00:00

- With regard to the blockade in the Black Sea, Sir
James said that the Admiralty had issued stringent
orders on various occasions to institute blockades in
those ports, but these directions were not carried out.
He was not, however, prepared to blame Admiral Dun-
(las in the matter, because English merchants had com-
plained that rigid blockades would have the effect of
causing them to suspend their trade.
Lord Seymour— We have been informed that prior to
the sailing of the expedition the Government had no in-
formation as to the nature of the fortifications at Sebas-
topol. Does your opinion concur with that ?
4 Sir J. Graham replied, that instead of an
opinion he could state a fact. In the last week
in June he saw a Crimean authority, who must
of course be nameless, at the Admiralty ;
and an Admiralty officer who was in attendance took
down his statement in writing. His information respect-
ing the Crimea was very full and substantial. He gave
information in reference to the harbours, roads, fortifi-
cations, and supply of water, and, what was more im-
portant, he gave an estimate of the military force there,
which was that there were 70,000 troops there, 40,000
in garrison at Sebastopol, and 30,000 in various parts
of the Crimea. He (Sir J. Graham) forwarded that in-
formation to Admiral Dundas, who must have got it before
the expedition left Varna. Subsequent experience bad
proved beyond doubt the accuracy of these statements.
More than that, he sent out to Admiral Dundas an engi-
neer officer who knew the harbour of Sebastopol as well
as the master of a Ryde steamer knew Spithead. He had
very little doubt, however, that it was extremely difficult
to obtain information on the points he had referred to.
By Mr. Layard—He entertained a very strong opinion
as to the time the expedition was ordered to proceed
from Varna to the Crimca. Although the late period of
the year at which it moved had been said to be the cause
of much of the suffering of the army, he was firmly per-
suaded that the months of August, September, or Octo-
ber were proper months for such a purpose.
The room was cleared close upon a quarter to 4 o'clock
for consultation, and on the re-admission of the public in
the course of a few minutes,
Mr. Layard put a series of questions to Sir J. Graham
relative to the relations subsisting between the ambas-
sador at Constantinople and Admiral Dundas in the
prosecution of the public service, in reply to which
he stated that he was not aware that the ambassador
failed in his duty in rendering every assistance in his
power to Admiral Dundas.
The Chairman—Was there any difference between
them on any points ?
Sir J. Graham—l believe there was.
The Chairman—Did that come to your knowledge
officially ?
Sir J. Graham—lt did not come to my knowledge
officially as connected with the Admiralty, but I heard
of some misunderstanding betweea them in my position
as connected with the Administration.

The committee afterwards adjourned until to-morrow.

AUSTRALIA.

We have received complete files of papers from
Melbourne to the 15th of February inclusive.

They do not contain any news of interest in ad-
dition to the telegraphic summary which we pub-
lished on Saturday.
We take the following from the Melbourne Herald
of the 10th of February :