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

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 15, 1855.

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL COM-

MITTEE-(THIS DAY.)

EXAMINATION OF LORD ABERDEEN AND

CONCLUSION OF THE COMMITTEE.

The committee re-assembled at the usual hour, and
proceeded to examine Lord Aberdeen.
Mr. Layard—Be kind enough to state to the committee
when the Government first made preparations on a con-
viction that war with Russia was imminent.—l should
think about three months before the actual declaration
of war preparations were made in contemplation of that
event. It had been more or less apprehended by the
Cabinet for some time, but, of course, there was a
difference of opinion in the Cabinet as to the probability
of its occurrence. Preparations were made in January,
three months previous to the declaration of war in the
March following. On the 9th February a large force
was sent to Malta, with a view to being forwarded to
Turkey in case of a declaration of war being made.
Then, previous to January the Government was under
the impression that hostilities would not be proceeded
with ?—On that subject there was a difference of opinion.
Perhaps I was more sanguine than any other member
of the Government, in the hopes of preserving peace.

During the previous year, had steps been taken to ob-
tain information as to the state of the country or the
enemy's forces, when hostilities were likely to take place 4

—Yes. Endeavours were made to procure necessary infor-
mation, but there were great difficulties in obtaining
correct information as to the state of the Russian forces
and various matters it was desirable to obtain. The
most correct information the Government received was
in this country, and not from the East.
Then before January no actual preparations were
made in the Commissariat, or other departments, in an-
ticipation of the war ?—I think not in actual contempla-
tion of the war.

After the declaration of war were all the matters
connected with the war and the army sent to the East
submitted to the Cabinet ?—Ail matters of importance
were, but not the details, which were attended to by
the heads of the departthents.
Were Cabinet Councils continually summoned until
the breaking up of Parliament ?—Yes.
It has been stated to the committee that, from nearly
that time till late in the autumn, no Cabinet Council
was held ?—From the prorogation of Parliament in the
middle of August to the middle of October no Cabinet
Councils were held. _ _ _

At that time were all the members of th 2 Cabinet
present in London I—No. At the prorogation of Par-
liament the various members of the Cabinet dispersed
themselves in different directions. The Duke of New-
castle remained constantly in London. I remained until
the end of September, and not having left London for a
year before, I went home for a week, and was one week
in attendance on her Majesty. Mr. Sidney Herbert
was almost constantly in London.
Arid during that period the expedition sailed from
Varna to the Crimea, the landing of the troops took
pkee, the battle of Alma was fought, and the siege
commenced ?—The order for the expedition was for-
warded at the end of June. _ .

Did your Lordship not think it necessary during
the period above referred to, to submit any questions
connected with the expedition to the Cabinet ?—I think
the precise nature of the meetings of the Cabinet are nut
understood. I apprehend it is no part of the duty of the
Government to hold these meetings at any stated
time, but only according to the necessity of
the public service. It is true, that during
the meeting of Parliament I had the Cabinet summoned

for every Saturday, but that was for the progress of
legislation in Parliament and for the current business of
the week, and did not render difficult the meeting of

the Cabinet on other services when required. Any
Minister can summon a Cabinet when he pleases, and for
any object, either of that connected with his own depart-
ment or anything else, and it has been usual for such
intention to be mentioned to the first lord, who accord-

ingly summons the Cabinet.
Is it your lordship's opinion that in cases of official
emergency the Cabinet should be summoned I—Cer-
tainly ; and if there had been occasion for its meeting,
arrangements. were made before separating at the end of
the session fur its summoning and assembling within 48
hours.

Are you not of opinion it was of more importance to
have a Cabinet in case of public events occurring of great

importance during the time of Parliament not sitting
than when it was ?—That would depend on whether
the event was of importance to require it. We
then had but the same subject to discuss and the same
determination to arrive at,

When the army landed in the Crimea, I believe the
Government was under the impression that Sebastopol
would almost immediately fall by a coup de main ?
That was the general opinion.
It was during the above period you ascertained the
army could not take it ?—Yes.
Was not that of sufficient importance to cause the
summoning of a Cabinet ? —I do not know that the hold-
ing of a Cabinet would have caused any other instruc-
tions being sent t•) the generals. The Minister for War
was in London, and if he found himself in any difficulty,
and wished the decision of the Cabinet on any question,

he could have summoned one.
Did not the fact you have stated, that Sebastopol was
found much stronger than was anticipated, and the army
would have to establish a regular siege, completely alter
the complexion of the expedition ?—No.
Supposing the Government had anticipated that Se-
bastopol would not have fallen, and there would have
been a long siege, would the Government still have
thought the expedition was not commenced too late in
the year ?—As I have already stated, instructions
directing the expedition were forwarded at the end of
June, and there was no reason to have supposed it would
have been carried into execution earlier than it was.
At the time when the expedition sailed there was suffi-
cient time—
The beginning of September ?—They did not think it
tno late for the expedition to be undertaken. The gene-4
rals had discretion not to undertake it at an unseasonable
time.
To what did the Government attribute their belief that
Sebastopol would have been taken earlier ?—To a great
many causes.
On account of any want of preparations on our part I
—Certainly not. I believe, however, there was some in-
sufficiency of boats—some delay on that account. That
was not the principal cause of the delay.
By Lord Seymour—Were any proposals made by Lord
John Russel! to the Government for the consolidation
of the office at an early period of last year ?—No ; I had
conversations with him on the subject, but I thought it
was also Lord John Russell's opinion that it was not
then a fit time to carry any alterations into effect,
on the grounds that there would be a risk of under-
taking them in a time of war, of its leading to inconve-
nience in the management of the offices, and produce
effects injurious to the public service.
His lordship then adverted to the correspondence be-
tween him and Lord John Russell about the end of
November, recommending the consolidation of the offices,
at the end of which Lord John Russell stated that be had
come to the conclusion it was not desirable to carry it
into effect.
By Lord Seymour—Lord 'John Russell, I believe, ob-
jected to the retention of the office of Secretary for War
by the Duke of Newcastle I—Yes, he did. The first in-
timation I had that Lord John Russell differed from the
Cabinet, and which much surprised me, was when he
wrote me after Mr. Roebuck had given notice of his

motion.
In answer to other questions from various members o
the committee, his lordship said that, previous to the
corresspondence above alluded to, Lord John Russell
offered no objections to the Government. The propo-
sitions made by Lord John Russell were not submitted
to the Cabinet. The correspondence ends with a declara-
tion, on the part of Lord J. Russell, that he should sub-
mit the subject to the consideration of the Cabinet, as I
did not concur with him, but he never did it ; he changed
his mind, and never mentioned it.
By Lord Seymour --Then, both with regard to 'Elie
Duke of Newcastle and the consolidation of the offices,
you were under the impression that Lord J. Russell had
altered his original opinion ?—Yes. As to the consoli-
dation of the offices, all the members of the Government
thought it desirable, but it was a question of time when
it should take place.
By Mr. Layard—Did her Majesty's Government ob-
tain as much information as it was possible under the
circumstances of the enemy's strength at the time
of undertaking the expedition to the Crimea ?
They obtained different information, leading them to
different conclusions, and were unable to ascertain what
amount of credit to give to it. On the whole, the most
correct information they obtained was from a gen-
tleman in this country who had recently been
in the Crimea. It turned out to be partly correct as to
the amount of the forces of the enemy and the state of
the country.
In your lordship's opinion as much information was
obtained as was necessary to authorise the expedition to
the Crimea ?—lt was sent to the military authorities.
The information stated the enemy's force to be about
70,000 men in the Crimea, about 30,000 or 40,000 being
in Sebastopol.
- Was the condition of the army in the Crimea after
August brought to the notice of the Cabinet ?—Yes ;
very late. I believe they were aware of a great deal of the
distress existing before they received official information
from the public papers and private sources.
Should not the Cabinet have been furnished with that
information ?—Certainly.
To whom do you attribute the neglect of not furnish-
ing the Cabinet with that early information ?—To the
parties on the spot, whose duty it was to complain of
anything amiss.
About what periOd were you officially informed of the
state of things in the Eau ?—lt was very gradual. At
first not receiving information it was more or less_dis-
credited, but it became confirmed by degrees. I was
in ignorance of the real state of the army longer than I
• ought to have been.
_ Ins lordship, in continuation, said, that having ap-

' pointed the various heads of departments, he considered
himself responsible for the manner in which they dis-
charged their duties. When he took office, he found Lord
Raglan Master General of the Ordnance, and on his being
appointed to the command of the army in the East, it
was thought the removal of the office of Lieutenant-
General would prevent any inconvenience arising to the
service. The duties of the office were, of course,
much greater in times of war than in peace. It
had been in contemplation before the breaking out of the
war to abolish the office of Master-General of the Ord-
nance. Lord John Russell made no specific complaint
with reference to the different departments to war-
rant any interference. If the Duke of Newcastle
had raid to me at the end of August that he could not
go on with the Ordnance depaAment as it then
existed, I should have considered the necessity
of a change. The Duke of Newcastle gave
orders to the committee without taking the
responsibility. The transfer of the Commissariat depart-
ment from the Treasury to the War department took
place contrary to my opinion, end thelate Duke of Welling-
ton thought it should not be taken from the Treasury. It
was not necessary, though desirable, that the Secretary
at War should be a Cabinet Minister. On the present
occasion it was very desirable, and that the officer be kept
as a means of controlling the expenditure of thearmy. I
have no recollection of the details given as to the state
of Sebastopol and the Crimea.

His lordship's evidence being concluded, the room
was cleared ; and after about half an hour's deliberation,
the committee announced the evidence closed.

lON E

MA ItKET

C 0 11 ITER CIA L INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
The Cotton Market at Liverpool yesterday
closed very firmly, and with a hardening tendency.
The sales were estimated at 20,000 bales, (2,000 of
which, were taken for export, and 9,000 on specu-
lation), comprising 400 Pernam and Maranham, at
51d. to 6341 ; 600 Bahia, at bid. to 6id. ; 1,200
Egyptian, 6d. to Bd. ; 2,500 Surat, at 31d. to sd. ;
and 220 Sea Islands, at 10d. to Is. 11d, per lb.
The Railway Share Market was very buoyant, and
prices advanced to per cent.

How the war with Russia can ever be brought
to a conclusion while we feed our armies with our
gold is a problem which Statesmen may be able to
solve, but which men of business are certainly not
in a position to work out. The alleged inconveni-
ence to our population of a cessation of the supply
of tallow or hemp from Russia can be as nothing
contrasted with the loss of life and property by a pro-
longation of the war, nor is it a hard task to demon-
strate that we could procure supplies of the articles
just named, both from our own colonies and South
America, and that substitutes could also be found
in part aid. The question of allowing Russian
produce to be admitted here since its prohibition
would effect all that is desired in preventing the
transport through Prussia is again to be venti-
lated in the House of Lords ; but, we apprehend

that with the present indisposition to grapple with
what at a distance appears much wore difficult

than it really is, the same fate will attend the
motion-to be made as has resulted in similar cases
previously. This forms no ground, however, for
neglecting the discussion of the matter out of Par-
liament, and facts may acceptably be produced
whenever forthcoming.

The treaty of commerce between Holland and
Belgium has been duly signed, and the ratifications
have been exchanged.

In the English Stock Market the business done
has been of very limited extent, but the quotations
are firm. The large majority for Ministers has un-
doubtedly some effect, the opinion being pretty
general that Lord Ellenborough's discretion is not
sufficient to make his advent to office at all desir-
able. There have been transactions in Consols at
88',-; to 89i for transfer, and 89 to i for account.
The New 3 per Cents. have been 88} to 41, and the
Reduced 87'i to 88k. Bulk Stock is flat at 208 to
2091. Exchequer Bills are ss. to Bs., and India
Bonds 18s. to 20s. premium. The Omnium is i
premium.

In the Foreign Market there has been an ex-
tensive business done in Turkish Bonds at an ad-
vance to 75i and 76k upon a rumour that a new
loan of 2,000,0001. is to be brought out, guaran-
teed by the Allied Governments, and that the ex-
isting Bonds will in some way be specially bene-
fitted by the new arrangement. Peruvian Stock is
at 67k. Spanish Bonds are nominal. Dutch 2i
per Cents. have been 63k.
The following are the nominal prices of foreign
stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds 6i to 7 ; Mexi-
can, 201 to 21 ; Peruvian, 67 to 69 ; ditto Three
per Cents., 47 to 49 ; Portuguese Four per Cents.,
41 to 43 ; Russian Five per, Cents., 98 to 100 ;
ditto Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 87 to 89 ;
Spanish New Deferred, 18i to 183. ; Ditto 3 per
Cents., 36 to 37k; Ditto Certificates, 4 to 4k ;
Ditto Passive, 3/ to 4.
This is " ticket day" in the Railway Market,
and the chief attention being absorbed in arrange-
ments for the settlement, the dealings arc extremely
circuinscribed. The quotations, however, are
generally higher. There is scarcely anything doing
in the Foreign or Colonial lines.
Mines are dull also ; the Joint Stock Banks, and
Crystal Palace are rather better ; and in the Mis-
cellaneous there is no particular change.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.-CLOSING PRICES.

(Pram the Official

Rumness done
~a.Lk Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities . ........ 894 81 94 t 9
New 3 per Cont. Annuities
tong Annuities, Expire sth Jan., Imo 163
la lift Bonds, 4100 .
Clusols nor Account, 30th May B9
Omnium
xcuequer Bills, 21d.
n000
£5OO 5 8
58
Exchequer Bonds 1858, 3i per Cent. lOO
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Peruvian Bonds, 44 per Cent. 674
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St 9B
=s rdinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ....... 86
;parish Bowls, 3 per Cent
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent. lB3
Ditto Passive 4
Curkish Bonds, 6 per cent 754 4.
Ditto for the Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Guil
Ditto 4 par Cont. Certificates „,... 921
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols B9 4
Ditto, May Account

COAL MARI
Prices of Coal per ton at
s. d
Bate's West Hartley 17
Carr's Hartley l7
Davison's West Hartley 17
Hasting's Hartley l7
Holywell
Howard's West Hartley
Netherton 17
Longridge's Wst Hartley 17
HartlepallWest Hartley 17
Tanfield Moor l6
Tanfield Moor Butes 16
Walker Primrose l5
Grey's West Hartley l7
Wylam 13

:ET.—Mer 14.
the close of the market.
Wallsend, &o.

6 Braddyll lB 9
6 Hetton l9 6
r Fletton Lyons Main 18 6
6 Kepler Grange 18 0
Lambton: •19 0
6 Plummer lB 3
6 Russell's Hatton lB 3
6 North Hetton 19 0
0 South Hetton 19 0
0 Stewart's ........... .
19 3
6 Caradoc _l9 0
0 Hartlepool lB 6
6 Haugh Hall. 18 b
Kelloe .. ... ...... . l9 0
ISouth Hartlepool l9 0
6 South Kelloe 18 6
il'rees ... . ...... .
6,East Thornloy 18 9
6 Carr's Merthyr
3 Derwentvrater Hartley l7' 6
3l'Skiborwen Merthyr 23 0
9 Haswell

Wallsend, Sze.
Acorn Close lB
Hilda 17
Gosforth l7
Barton l7
Heaton
Riddell l7
Wharncliffe l6
Lambton Primrose 18

The Emperor Alexander is about to visit Warsaw
with Count Nesselrode.

The trade of the port of London during the past week
has shown increased activity owing to numerous arrivals,
consequent on the change of wind. The total number of
ships reported inward was 259, being an increase of 51.
over the previous week. Among these are several from
China, and also a large number laden with colonial
sugar. The departures have continued to diminish for
some time, and the total cleared outward in the week
just ended was 117, showing 14 less than in the previous
week.
The departures from the port of London for the Aus-
tralian colonies during the past week comprised four
vessels—three to Portland Bay, with an aggregate bur-
den of- 2,722 tons ; and one to Sydney, of 622 tons.
Their total capacity was 3,344 tons. The rates of freight
exhibit little alteration.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'a-MONDAY.

111-omened reports respecting St. Hubert caused a
strong demonstration to be made against him in the
course of the morning in the city ; and on mustering at
" The Corner," the feeling of hostility was so much
increased by the operations of certain eager layers that,
after 500 to 20 had been booked three or four times, 30
to 1 went a-begging, and yet to reliable information was
to be obtained as to the circumstances of the case.
Wild Dayrell was in very great force ; at 6 to 1, 11 to
2, and 5 to 1, many hundreds were invested on him, and
he was, unquestionably, the leading favourite at the
close. Lord of the Isles was backed at 13 to 2 and 6to
1, De Clare at 6 and 7 to 1, and Rifleman at 6 to 1, but
the support which they respectively received was not
marked by any particular feature. 12 to 1 was taken to
various sums about the Flatterer, and 14 to 1 to some
hundreds about Kingstown. 20 and 25 to 1 were laid
against Dirk Hatteraick. Bonnie Morn and Grmculus
Esuriens were at 50 to 1 each, taken and offered. Oul-
ston at one time advanced from 1,000 to 30 to 25 to 1,
but the current price at the finish was 30 to 1. 2,000
to 60 and 750 to 25 were taken about Rylstone.
The betting on the Somersetshire Stakes and the Oaks
requires no comment.

SOAIEESETSHIRE STAKES.
5 to 2 agst Typee (taken)
6to 1 agst Hercules (taken)
7to 1 agst Little Harry (taken)
10 to 1 agst Mishap (taken).
DERBY.
5 to 1 agst Wild Dayrell (taken)
6 to 1 agst Lord of the Isles (taken)
6 to 1 agst R;fleman (taken)
6 to 1 agst De Clare (taken and offered)
12 to 1 agst Flatterer (taken)
14 to 1 agst Kingstown (taken)
25 to 1 agst Dirk Hatteraick (taken)
30 to 1 agst St. Hubert
30 to 1 agst Oulston (taken)
30 to 1 agst Rylstone (taken)
50 to 1 agst Bonnie Morn (taken)
..
50 to 1 agst Greculns Esuriens (t. and (offered)
200 even between St. Hubert and Oulston (taken)
OAKS.
sto 1 agst Nettle
Bto 1 agst Blooming Heather (taken)
9to 1 agst Dame Judith (taken)
10 to 1 agst Morgan la Faye (taken)
15 to 1 agst Lady Tatton (taken)
20 to 1 agst Gay (taken)

Cruiser was struck out of his Epsom and Ascot en.
gagements at 2.30 p.m.
The subscription room will be open every day this
week.