The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-20 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 20, 1855.

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

INDIA.

We have received our despatches from India and
China, in anticipation of the Overland Mail. The dates
are those given in our telegraphic summary of Saturday
last :—Calcutta, Feb. 10 ; Bombay, 17 ; Canton, Jan.
21 ; Hong Kong, 22 ; Shanghai, 16.
The following is from the summary of the Bombay
Times :

Perfect tranquillity reigns throughout India, and there
is every prospect of its long continuing to do so. Some
time since it was stated that Tagshund, in the Kokan,
had been occupied by the Russians; whereas we are now
assured that Tagshund had not been occupied by them,
and that no Russians are within two hundred miles of the
place. A force has certainly arrived within some days'
march of Khiva, but no Russian agent has been within
reach of that town. The Shah of Persia is unremitting
in his endeavours to effect an alliance with Dost Ma-
homed. The latter some time since sent one of his
courtiers on a secret political mission to Persia; he lately
returned to Cabul with costly presents from the Shah to
the Dost, and a gracious and flattering letter, in which,
among other things, the Ameer promises to restore all
the territory wrested from Cabul by Persia. The Meer-
anzaie expedition has not left Peshawur, but arrange-
ments are in progress for its departure. The mountain
train had been warned for service, as well as a com-
pany of European artillery. Our advices from Burmah
are to the 23d ultimo. Orders have been issued by
the commissioner for two vessels to be in readiness
in June next to proceed to Ava, whither the ambas-
,sackorft„h4. already_scnot They,were so hard pressed
for money at Ita,ngoo'n, previous to theirrettrrfrto Ava; -
that one of them was necessitated to sell a handsome
gold watch, presented to him by the Governor-General,
for 120 rupees, about a fourth of its value. The Oude
territories continue to be distracted by internal feuds.
The state of affairs all over this country is grave and
menacing. Several engagements have taken place, in
one of which the enemy lost 60 killed, and the Govern-
ment troops only 12. At the capital Col. Outram was
winning golden opinions, the king and people both feel-
ing satisfied with and reposing confidence in the Resi-
dent's sound and impartial judgment. It is reported
that the long-talked-of annexation of Oude will take
place shortly, and that a pension of half the revenue
realised from the Oude territories will be granted to
the king. Nothing of importance has transpired
lately in the Nizam's country. The Resident has re-
turned to the capital from a short tour in the ceded dis-
tricts. At Calcutta the two great events to be recorded
are the opening of the Exhibition, and the official inau-
guration of the Railway. The distance to Burdwan and
back-132 miles—was accomplished in six hours. The
Legislative Council performs business regularly with
open doors, and the debates are invariably published
in the newspapers. Lord Dalhousie proceeds to the
Neilgherries solely on account of ill-health, and is daily
expected at Madras, from whence he will proceed down
the coast, making the journey overland from the nearest
point to the Blue Mountains. The Bank of Bengal has
raised its rates, the advances being caused principally by
the despatch of a large quantity of silver to Bombay and
the Eastern ports. Government, it is said, have it in
contemplation to open a new Four per Cent. loan
almost immediately, and this will have the effect of still
further inenasing the strain upon the money market.
The Madras Railway is proceedingly rapidly apace.

COAIMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

BOMBAY, FEB. 15.

We are sorry to report a further decline on almost every
description of British manufactures, as noticed by the sales
reported during the past fortnight. Each succeeding sale
of shirtings shows a decline of :12- to 1 auna per piece, or in
all nearly 2to 3 annas during the fortnight. Holders still
show much arxiety to sell, and the buyers take advantage
of low rates. The business transacted is on a very large
extent, especially in grey goods.
Cotton has declined slightly in value ; some lots of
Dhollera have been purchased at Re. 68 to 70, and Broach
can be purchased at Its. 76 per candy, but not of good
quality. New cotton has not yet arrived ; and the good
descriptions have suffered much by the recent unseasonable
weather.
Money continues in good demand, and, although by no
means abundant, can still be had on easier terms than for-
merly.
Exchange on the arrival of the China Mail reached 2s.
lad., but has since gradually declined, and may now be
quoted 2s. ON. for credit, and 2s. ld. to 2s. ltd. for docu-
ments,

The rate of freight to London has gone up to Si. 15s.
for cotton, and 4/. for linseed to Liverpool. This rise is
owing to some vessels having been taken by government
for conveying troops and invalids. To China we quote Rs.
18 per candy. _ . _

CALCUTTA, FEB. 8.
We are still unable to report any improvement in our
market for British cotton piece goods. The demand con-
tinues languid, and there is little inclination on the part
of native dealers to enter into any transactions of moment.
What is occasionally taken is to supply immediate wants,
and although the advises from the up-country markets are
net unfavourable, the increasing tightness of the money
market and a few failures amongst the native merchants
have created seine alarm, and induced dealers to curtail
their operations for a time.
There have not been many buyers of bills on England,
and the transactions reported are rather limited; in con-
sequence of which the rates since the departure of the last
mail have partially advanced. Scotch Bank bills at 90
days' sight have been placed at 2s. 03d. Oriental Bank
bills at six Months 2s. 03d. Baring and Brown Shipley's
credits at 2s. 00., Treasury and Post bills at ls. 113 d.

CHINA.

field-pieces. The field train of Foot Artillery will also
be increased by several batteries of 9-pounders, and the
Rocket Brigade is to have an additional troop. To effect
the augmentation of the Horse Artillery and.the Rocket
Brigade a number of men will be transferred from the
field train, in which the duties are nearly similar ; and it
having been found detrimental to the service when the
artilleryls actively engaged to employ disciplined gunners
as drivers in the field train, Horse Artallery,.andßocket
Brigade, it is intended to organise artillery drivers similar
to those employed during the Peninsular war, and re-
duced in 1824. The corps will be composed Qt 10 troops
of 100 men, officered by a lieutenant-colonel,lo captains
commanding troops, and two lieutenants to each troop.
The uniform will be similar to that of the Fiona Artil-
lery, but without lace or ornament. !Ix troops will be
attached to the siege and field trains, three troops to the,
Horse Artillery, and one troop to the Rocket Brigade.
When the arrangements are completed a battalion of 12
companies of efficient gunners can be witklrawn from
'lriving, and made available in the field at leir regular
dtby._ _ _

110 non-commissioned officers and gunners of the
Royal Artillery, under the command of Lieut.• Colonel
Adye, who had been home on leave from the Crimea,
embarked yesterday, with 100 horses, at Woolwich, for
a passage in the London and Hackbut transports to the
Crimea.

A detachment of the 11th Hussars, 60 in all, arrived
at Plymouth on Saturday, by steamer from Dublin, and
proceeded the same day to Exeter.
The A, B, and C divisions of the New Land Trans-
port Corps, numbering 261 men, under Lieut.-Com-
mander Addick, arrived at Plymouth yesterday, from
Horfield Barracks, Bristol, to embark for the. Crimea.

VISIT OF PRINCE ALBERT TO THE

SAILORS' HOME.

PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 19.—His Royal Higimess Prince
Albert and suite came over from Osborne geese to this
port this morning, on a visit of inspection of the new
royal yacht, and of the Sailors' Home. The visit was a
private one, the usual salutes, so far as his Royal High-
ness was concerned, being dispensed with. The Fairy,
tender to the royal yacht, with the Prince on board,
arrived in harbour a little before eleven o'clock, and pro-
ceeded round to the north end of the dockyard, Prince
Albert and suite landing at the steam basin, in which
the royal yacht is moored to receive her machinery.
A guard of honour from the Royal South Lincoln Mi•

litia, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Fane, was in
attendance with the band of the regiment, and received
the Prince with the usual honours. His Royal High-
ness then dispensed with the further attendance of the
guard, which returned to the barracks. The Prince
then proceeded to the yacht, on board which he re-
mained upwards of an hour, going over the whole of the
interior of the vessel and examining its various arrange-
ments, and directing some alterations, for the
greater convenience of the crew, be made. On
leaving the yacht the Prince proceeded to the
Sailors' Home in Queen-street, adjoining the dock-
yard, where he minutely examined the accounts of
the institution and the whole of the arrangements
and accommodation for the class of persons for whom
it was established. His Royal Highness expressed
great admiration of the institution, and •f the objects it
had in view, and also of the perfect success with which
those objects bad been carried out. On leaving the Home
his Royal Highness, who was loudly cheered by the inha-
bitants, returned to the dockyard, shortly after which the
Fairy was again seen coming up through Spithead, having
the royal standard flying at her main, her Majesty being
on board. The Fairy came straight into harbour,
and his Royal Highness at once went off to her, and re-
turned to Osborne at half-past one. By orders of the
Queen the fleet did not salute on her arrival ; but this
order not being repeated when she returned, the ships.in
harbour and at Spithead poured forth a salute of a deafen-
ing and magnificent character.

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-

MITTEE --(THIS DAY.)

The committee reassembled this morning at the usual hour,
The first witnes9 called was Dr. Andrew Smith.
In reply to Mr. Ellice, he stated that be entered the service
of the army in the year 1815. He had had considerable ex-
perience as army surgeon, and in medical hospitals. He was
staff surgeon of the Ist class before he was appointed to the
Medical Board in 1835. His salary was 1,200/. per annum, lie
had an assistant at 590/. per annum. The Commander-in-Chief,
the Secretary at War, and the Board of Ordnance were his (Dr.
Smith's) immediate superiors, and he received from them se-
parate and independent directions from each of these autho-
rities, He proposed all medical appointments to these autho-
rities, but t• no civil authority. He selected the names of
officers for promotion from confidential reports, and gave the
preference to such as had the most recommendations in their
favour, and recommended them for promotion accordingly.
Their removal from station to station abroad also originated
in himself.

Mr. Elace—ls any distinction made between officers who
enter the service with high qualifications and those who have
passed the necessary examinations only?
Dr. Smith—Oh I yes, certainly ; every distinction is drawn.
Examination continued —The garrison hospitals in this
kingdom were under his superintendence. There was one at
Fort Pitt, another at Dublin, and another at Cork. There is'
no hospital in Scotland. He had the power of advising
medical officers in colonial hospitals, but he did not think it
advisable to exercise any positive authority he might have on
them because he was unacquainted to a great extent with their
local circumstances. He had not much authority with regard to
the Queen's troops in India, except that he was in the habit
of receiving reports from them. Reports were made to him
from all medical hospitals under the Crown. All medical
stores were supplied on requisitions to him from the medical
or local authorityat garrison, or general, orbarrack hospitals ;
and these requisitions were approved by the officers in com-
mand in the case of colonial hospitals.. They were supplied
to regiments in a somewhat similar manner.
Mr. Ellice—How are stores of clothing and medical comforts
supplied to the purveyor of an hospital ?
Dr. Smith—Formerly, in the year 1830, there was a pur-
veyor in chief, who purchased everything, and was responsi-
ble for its supply ; but since then the duty had devolved on
the Ordnance department. The ordering of these stores (as
we understood) was involved in much confusion. The War
department claimed the authority, and he thought it ought
to be vested in himself ; in fact there was a perpetual conflict
of authority on the subject, and had been ever since he had
been at the Medical Board, and long before then. The pre-
sent Secretary of State for War holds the office of Secretary
at State and at War.

Mr. Ellice—At what period were the intentions of the Go-
vernment to send out a military expedition to the East first
communicated to you ?

Dr. Smith—ln February last year.
Mr. Ellice—What directions were given to you to make the
necessary preparations, and by whom ?
Dr. Smith—l received a communnioation from the Com-
mander-in-Chief stating that the Government intended to send
10,000 men to Malta, and directing me to provide all the
necessaries requisite in the medical department. All that
was necessary for him to do was to complete the medical
arrangements by appointing an additional assistant-surgeon
to each regiment, which before had but one, and by augment..
ing the number of staff assistant-surgeons. Then he had to
provide a supply of medicines and ail articles required for
hospital furniture, utensils, bedding, &e., as well as medical
comforts in proportion to the probable wants of such a force.
He issued an order the day afterwards to the Government
druggist contractors, and in eight days afterwards the stores
were delivered. The utensils, furniture, and bedding he obtained
by requisition to the Board of Ordnance, whose province it
was to supply them.

Mr. Ellice —Did you consider it your duty to see that
these articles were actually provided and safely shipped ?
Dr. Smith repied, that he had no authority to do so, but
persons in his office were from day to day despatched to the
Tower, in order to ascertain the progress which had been
made. No invoice of any of the goods were sent
to him, nor yet a bill of lading. He had not
the slightest power or control over the shipping of the stores
furnished by the Ordnance. He had only to send them a
requisition of what was wanted, and they took everything
else out of his hands. He received an intimation in the en-
suing month that an additional force of probably 25,000 men
would, in all probability, be despatched to the East, and ho
took the requisite. steps, as before, for providing a large
quantity of medicines, stores, and medical comforts.
Mr. Ellice—When you beard that, in all likelihood, the
army would be despatched to Turkey, did you consider it
necessary to ascertain the nature of the climate, the local
diseases of the country, and their best mode of treatment
Dr. Smith, in reply, stated that ho represented to the Com-
mander-in-Chief that as the men wore ignorant on these sub-
jects, a staff consisting of the senior medical officers appointed
to the army, accompanied by an engineering officer to make
a sketch of every place in which it was probable the army might
be located, should be despatched to Turkey in advance of the
army to make observations in these respects and to report to
him. The medical officers were sent out, and acted in accord
ance with his instructions; but no officer of engineers accom-
panied them. Those medical officers reported to him on
the matter, and he issued instructions to the officers of the
army generally founded upon that report. With regard to
the establishment of any hospitals, he did not consider it
right to interfere with that beyond giving his advice on the
subject. He thought these things were better confided to
the discretion of those who were on the spot, guided by the
circumstances or emergencies of the locality. He did not
think it advisable that medicines should be purchased on the
spot, because they could be got better at home, and might be
depended upon. As to the stores, as the Ordnance sup-
plied them, he could not say whether they were sent from
home or bought on the spot. Some of the medicines sent
out, instead of being delivered at Scutari, were knocked
about from port to port. He might no doubt be able to as-
certain when these stores were despatched and what portion
of them arrived at their destination.

Mr. Ellice—Was authority confided to any officer or officers
to purchase a supply of articles which had not been sent from
home, or had not arrived, but which were pressingly re-
quired ?

Dr. Smith—Yes ; the purveyor, he believed, had power to
purchase such articles, but he thought there was Borne mis-
understanding as to the authority of the purveyor. The pur-
veyor thoight he was not compelled to obey the directions
of the medical board ; but ho was supremo in his own depart-
ment. Ho (Dr. Smith) was obliged to appeal to the War-
office to have this mistake rectified.

Mr, Ellice —Do you think that if there had been a purveyor,
with proper authority, at Scutari, he might have bought
everything at Constantinople necessary for the sick at Scu-
tari, without depending upon a supply of articles sent out
from England !

Dr. Smith—l have some difficulty in answering that ques-
tion, because I am not sufficiently acquainted with the loco:
lity ; but from the evidence given. by the Times' commissioner
before this committee, I apprehend there would have been no
difficulty in the matter.
Examination continued—He had no authority in the world
to interfere in the improvement of the hospital accommodation
at Scutari, of its sanitary condition, or of its medical and other
requirements. He thought sufficient power was vested in
the ambassador to supply whatever was requisite, or to
remedy these defects.
Mr. Ellice—Mr. Macdonald, the Times commissioner, in
his evidence before this committee, has stated that when lie
waited upon you for letters of introduction, and explained
the object of his mission to the East, you told him that there
was everything that was required in the hospitals at Constan-
tinople and Scutari. Will you inform the committee on
what ground you were justified in that assertion ?
Dr. Smith—l bad no reports in my possession to justify
me in asserting anything else. I had received letters from
the medical authorities there, which led me believe that they
had everything they required ; and I was aware large quan-
tites of stores of all kinds had been sent out.

Dr. Smith was still under examination when our report
left. [This gentleman gave his evidence in so low a tone of
voice that it was with difficulty 'we could collect even the
purport of what he said.]

ADMISSION OF OFFICERS INTO THE ROYAL
NAVY FROM THE MERCANTILE MARINE.

The following notice has been forwarded to the prin-
cipal shipowners and great steam-packet campanies, from
the Board of Admiralty :—,
Admiralty, March 14th, 1855.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty being desirous
to encourage gentlemen from the merchant service to enter
the royal navy in the rank of second master, are pleased to
invite such officers as can comply with the requirements of
tho Queen's regulations (copy of which is enclosed) to offer
themselves for such appointments. -
The Admiralty are also pleased to invite officers who
may not be able fully to comply with these requirements to
offer themselves for the appointment of Acting Second
Mastar, provided they shall have completed four years
service at sea, have filled some of the ratings required
by the Queen's Regulations before mentioned, shall
have completed the full age of eighteen years, and
I shall produce satisfactory proof of diligence, sobriety, and
good conduct. The Board of Admiralty are willing to
guarantee to them on their completing the necessary
period of service in the Ruyal Navy, and on their conform-
ing in all respects to the requirements at such time exist-
ing, their conirmation to the rack of second master in
her Majesty's service, with all the further advantages to
be derived from such rank, both as regards half pay and
the prospect of future advancement to the rank of
master, &o.
Officers making application must state distinctly their
age, the ships in which they have served, length of service,
ratings, &c., addressing such application to the Secretary
of the Admiralty, when their claims will receive imme-
diate attention.
EXTRACT FROM THE NEW REGULATIONS RESPECTING
SECOND MASTERS IN THE NAVY, 1844.

To qualify an officer to receive a commission as second
master, he must have served at least six years at sea,
three of which in her Majesty's navy as midshipman or
master's absistant ; or having served six years at .sea,
shall have actually been one year or more master, or two
years chief mate, or three years inferior mate of a mer-
chant vessel ; or shall have served in the two former capa-
cities in a merchant vessel fer a period, when combined,
of 18 months; or in the two latter, or in the three capa-
cities for a period combined of two years and .a half. He
shall produce certificates of diligence, sobriety, and good
conduct, as required in the case of masters ; and shall pass
such examination as the Admiralty may from time to
time direct; but no candidate shall be examined before
he shall have attained the age of 19 years, nor after the
age of 35.

The Government, iu consideration of the peculiar case
of the late gallant Major Townsend, of the Royal Ar-
tillery, not having been promoted at the date of the
Queen's warrant of the 3d of November, have gtauted
to his widow the superior pension of a lieutenant colonel,
of 2001. per annum. This is but an act of justice.

Yesterday orders were issued by the Admiralty for a
number of ships, of about 780 tons • burden, and of light
draught, to be taken up as floating depotq for six
months. They are to be moored in Faro Sound.
Mr. Nason, of Guy's Hospital, repeats us to state
that his name is not Mason, as erroneously stated in
the papers of yesterday.

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-

MITTEE.

[A. portion of the following appeared in our first &Il-
ion of yesterday.]
The first witness called was Mr. A. Stafford.
In reply to the Chairman, he stated that he had visited
the Scutari hospital in November last. He met with no
opposition to his visits. He wrote a letter to the Duke
of Newcastle calling his attention to the hospital, pres-
sing upon the Government the propriety of establishing
an hospital at Smyrna, the air of which appeared to be
far more salubrious than at Scutari or Constanti-
nople. The climate there was exceedingly heal-
thy throughout the year, with the exception of the
months of June, July, and August, during which months
the English residents usually left the town, and returned
about October. In accordance with his representation
an hospital was determined upon, and he visited it before
it was opened. The spot fixed upon was tolerably
healthy. He made some other suggestions whilst at
Constantinople, but he did not know whether they were
acted upon or not. He was not sure that the English
Government would not be displeased with his being
there, and he feared he might have been ordered
away from the hospitals if be interfered too much.
Not long afterwards he visited Scutari kospital,
and found the g‘ Necessaries " in a very filthy and
neglected state —so bad that the effluvia from
them was sufficient of itself to have gene-
rated disease. Diarrlicea was prevalent in the building,
and he himself caught it whilst Inspecting—as he con-
sidered it his duty to do--the state of the places he bad
alluded to. The filth from them had percolated into the
adjoining ante-rooms, and the whole was in such a shock-
ing condition that he could not find words adequate to
the description. He went to Dr. M'Gregor and repre-
sented to him that this state of things ought to be looked
to, and immediately remedied. Dr. M`Gregor showed
him a letter from the assistant-surgeon on the subject,
and stated that he had written to him three or four
times on the same subject. This was about the 13th
or 14th October.

The Chairman—What did Dr. M'Gregor say to you ?
Mr. Stafford—He stated that be frequently made re-
presentations to the superior department about the matter.
The Chairman—What department did you understand
him to mean by that ?
Mr. Stafford—l cannot say, as I have heard there
were one or two departments connected with the hospi-
tal.

The Chairman—Then you cannot say who was at the
head of the hospital and had the governing authority

Mr. Stafford—No indeed I cannot, and I consider the
want of a head authority was the source of all the evil
which came under my observation.
Examination resumed—Dr. M`Gregor said lie had
already done all that was within his power, and that to
proceed further would not be within his department, and
he (Mr. Stafford), from what he had subsequently heard,
believed that such was really the case. Dr. Menzies. he
thought, was at that time at the head of the medical
department, but he could not say positively. As, how-
ever, he had been introduced to Dr. M`Gregor, and that
gentleman seemed actuated by a desire to promote re-
form in the hospital, he made his representation to him.
He had always found him ready to do anything in hie
power to alter the state of things which prevailed.
Tile Chairman—Could not Dr. M`Gregor have ob-
tained tea or a dozen men who could at once have
cleansed the filthy places of which you have spoken ?
Mr. Stafford-- Yes ; but in all probability had he done
so he would have been told that such a duty was not
in his department, as it certainly was not, and he would
sented the matter to a person in high authority, and
was informed by the person in question that it was de-
sirable it should be done, but that he had no money.
He (Mr. Stafford) recommended that 16 Turks should
be employed, and offered himself to bear the expense.
The official, however, seemed to hesitate about receiving
the proffered pecuniary aid, as he had No authority, he
stated, to indemnify him (Mr. Stafford).
Chairman—l think the committee ought to be put in
possession of the name of the high authority referred to
Mr. Stafford, however, declined to give it up, as the
person was not present to defend himself, and might
possibly have no friends in England to speak for him.
The Chairman said it was indispensable.
Mr. Stafford said he did not see the necessity ; and
went on to state that, with the exception of the occasion
referred to, the gentleman had shown a ready disposition
to do anything to promote the comfort of the sick and
wounded.

The Chairman.--Is the gentleman you speak of a pub-
lic officer, receiving public pay ?
Mr. Stafford.—.lie
The Chairman.—Then I decidedly think the commit-
tee ought to have his name.
Mr. Stafford, nevertheless, still hesitated, and there
appearing to be some difference of opinion amongst the
committee upon the point, the room was cleared for dis-
cussion, and the doors remained closed for half an hour.
On the re-admission of the public,
The Chairman said—Mr. Stafford, what situation does
this gentleman hold in the hospital of Scutari ?
Mr Stafford wished to know if it was the decision of
the committee that he should give the name.
The Chairman (firmly)—lt is the decision of the com-
mittee that you should answer that question ; be kind
enough to do so.

Mr. Stafford (after some hesitation)—lt is impossible
to state the situation he holds without naming him.
The Chairman still persisting in his question,
Mr. Stafford (after another pause) said, he is the
commandant.

The Chairman—Was he commandant of the garrison
or of the hospital ?

Mr. Stafford—Of the barrack hospital I believe.
The Chairman—Then what was his name ?
Mr. Stafford—Major Sillery.
By General Peel—Major Sillery is the senior officer
commanding the barrack hospital.
Examination resumed by the Chairman—He never
had anything to do with the officers generally at Scutari
without meeting with the greatest courtesy, but it ap-
peared to him that the mismanagement chiefly arose
from a fear on the part of all of exceeding the duties of
their departments, and thereby incurring responsibility.
In his Opinion they all thought he was sent out there to
make out a case in favour of the hospital. Matters were
better afterwards, but were never in such a condition
that he could not have wished for still greater improve-
ment.

The Chairman—How did the patients think they had
been treated

Mr. Stafford—Their feeling was that they were well
treated in the field of battle ; but they had not been so
well served afttrwarls. They spoke of their treatment
on board the transports with the greatest indignation ;
but after their arrival at Scutari their apparent desire
was to forget the past in the gratitude they felt for the
kindness of the ladies who had come out from this
country to nurse them.

TheChairman—Did you see any of those poor fellows
when they were landed?

Mr. Stafford said he did, :Ina words could not do j us-
tico to their ghastly and filthy appearance. On after-
wards visiting scum of them iu the hospitals he found
them covered with vermin, and as they were undressing
they asked him not to come near them, being fully
a•.vare of their loathsome condition. He visited the
naval hospital, and found it in an admirable state.
The Chairman—Did you visit the hospital at Rilak-
lava ?

Mr. Stafford replied that ho visited it five times, and
the first time was taken round by the doct ,r The
second time ho saw nobody. The third time ho went
he was refused admission, and was told he could
not be admitted without an order from Lord
Raglan. He wrote accordingly to his lordship,
and received an order, accompanied by a very cour-
teous note, and lie visited the hospital afterwards
with it. He did not describe the state of the hospitals
to Lord Raglan, but he wrote to one of the staff officers.
The state of the hospital was such as he had before de-
scribed in the House of Commons. He found no venti-
lation. The men were huddled together in small rooms
on the floor ; the medical comforts were very bad ; the
orderlies addressing the patients with oaths and curses,
and the greatest possible filth in the bed clothing. Dr.
Hall was the senior medical officer there. He found
that visiting the patients raised their spirits and elevated
the mental tone of the poor fellows. Diarrhoea and
cholera was the prevalent complaint amongst the
sick ; but it was the opinion of the medical officers
that medicines would be of but little avail so
long as the dietary of the army remained
wbat it was. The rooms of the hospital were very small.
He saw some empty houses in the town, and thought
they might have been appropriated As hospitals. Some-
times the numbers in the hospital varied. If a ship
were going out it might be clear, and then it might be
filled again immediately afterwards.

The -Chairman—Did you bear any complaints about
the green coffee served to the troops ?
Ur. Stafford—lf you had wanted to excite the men
in any way you could not have done it better than by
alluding to green coffee. It excited the greatest indig-
nation in their minds, and they said the commissariat
might just as well have served out pebbles to them. They
had no machinery for roasting it ; but they managed it
as well as they could. He was on board one of the
transports at Balaklava, and found that not the slightest
preparation had been made for the reception of the sick
and wounded, who were lying on the decks in their
greatcoats. Some of them were covered with vermin,
and all were ragged and filthy. He saw some of the
broth and the pea soup served out to the invalids.
There was no fire to boil them, and consequently it was
little bettor than greasy water, whilst the peas were not
split, but put in whole.
The Chairman—Do you know who had the superin-
tendence of that transport ?
1 Mr. Stafford—l believe Captain Christie.
Mr. Stafford.—Examination continued,—lle was on