The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONIDO 11, "WEDNESDAY EVENING,. .MARCII 28. 1.851 i:

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cases were of every-day occurrence, and he bad been
appealed to by one of the learned judges i❑ 6pen court
to use his influence as a member of Parliament to put a
stop to the existin_r scandalous system. Accordingly, he
had introduced the second bill for establishing a
-registration ; but after the shape this discussion
had taken, he thought the best course was to refer both
bills to a select committee.

Mr. Layard—Mr. Osborne stated that there were no
operating tables in the hospital. Is that true or not ?
Dr. Menzies—l question the truth of that statement.
Mr. Layard--Are you aware that the boards and
tressels used for such purposes were so rioketty that a
person was obliged to sit upon them to keep them steady ?
Dr. Menzies—l never heard of that.

Mr, MURRO UGH saw no necessity whatever for
this oppressive measure, when, under the existing law,
a judgment could. be btained on a bill of exchange in
eight days for 3/. 10s. in a town cause, and 4/. in a
Country cause.

Examination continues',--There was no regular operat-
ing-room but a place was set aratt for the purpose in
one of the wards: It dicl not occur to him when making
preparations for the reset ,tion of the sick and wounded
to provide a proper room .beforehand, as he thought there
would be no difficulty in doing it afterwards. Some
allowance ought to be made for the confusion in which
all things wers.
Mr. Layard—Was not the first thing necessary to be
done the provision of a. room for operations ? Did it
not occur to you so ?
Dr. Menzies—lt did not occur to me at first, but I
thought of it when the wounded arrived.
Mr. Layard—When the wounded arrived ! (A laugh.)
Nevertheless you had operations performed in one of
the wards, in the sight of the other patients. Could
you not have appropriated some other place, or sepa-
rated that portion of the room from the others in some
way ?
Dr. Mcnzies—l directed the proper person to provide
a place, but he did not do it ; and, as I said befor.?, I
had so much to do that to see after everything myself
was quite impossible. (Laughter.)
Mr. Layari—Did you discharge, or report, or punish
that person for neglecting your orders on such an essen-
tial point ?
Dr. Menzies--I did not.

The-ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought this question
had been sufficiently discussed. Thera could be no doubt
that, under the existing system, fictitious and fraudulent
defences were made to bilis of exchange that were a
scandal to the law, and if any sate plan could be devised
for securing a more expeditious and economical mode of
rose very, it was for the interest of the legal profession,
and for the advantage of the mercantile commun;ty,that
it should be adopted. It was impossible that the pre-
sent state of things could be allowed to continue ; and
then came the question, could the house adopt either of
these bills ? Both were based upon the same principle,
but the machinery of each was different to that of the
ether, and therefore he thought they could not do better
than assent to the proposal to refer the two bills to a
select .committee.

Mr. .M‘MAIION pointed out that the 12th clause was
a violation of international law, because it allowed Eng-
lish merchants to take proceedings upon bills of ex-
change against merchants in America, 7rance, or any
other foreign country.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for Ireland concurred
in the p:rinciple of both bills. It was unwise t.- allow
debtors to hare a vested right in the law's delay.
Mr. T. HANKEY said the persons w1;:o were most
anxious. that this bill should pass were nol, bankers and
dealers in bills of exchange, but merchants; and traders
who et-cried on business with negotiable instruments.
Mr. W. BROWN hoped before either of these bills
passed that a clause would he introduced ;making a dis-
tinction between foreign and inland bills, ,ar to place the
whole npm an equality.
Mr. MULLINGS pointed out a difficulty which
would arise in connection with these bills. 'There was a
society in London which made a practice af searching
weekly the Registry of Judgments and they Register of
Bills of Sale, and publishing for 11. a-year a list of all
judgments and bills of sale. Now, perhaps the opera-
tions of that society might not be prejudicial. to the gene-
ral public so far as these two registers were- concerned ;
but, if they were to be allowed to publish the bills of
emiliange registered under either of these bi lie, it might
be productive of much mischief. He therixiore hoped
souse provision would be made for prohibith Jg the publi-
cation of the Register of Bills of Exchange.
After a few words from Mr. RICIIARDSON,

Mr. Layard—Tben how could you expect your orders
to be attended to in other respects ?
No reply.
Mr. Layard—Did you ever reprimand, censure, or
dismiss any person connected with the hospital ?
Dr. Menzies—Yes, I sent away one officer from the
hospital.
Mr. Layard—Who was he ?
Dr. Menzies—One of my clerks.
Mr. Layard,---A copying clerk ? (A. laugh.)
Dr. Menzies—Yes. (Renewed laughter.)
Examination continued—Mr. Wreford was, be should
say, about 60 to 63 years of age. He did not perform
his duties to his (Dr. Menzies') satisfaction ; on the con-
trary, Ise opposed his authority. Mr. Wreford was still
at the head of the purveying department. He (Dr.
Menzies) was the responsible person for seeing that the
sick and wounded were properly provided for board
ship for their passage home.
The Chairman—Then you were to blame if, as we
have been told, they were sent away without proper
neCessaries?

Dr. Menzies—Yes, I presume so. (Laughter.)
Examination continued—First-class Staff-Surgeon
Carr was his assistant in performing operations in the
general hospital, and Dr. M`Gregor at the barrack
hospital. He should say that there was not a Sufficient
medical staff in the hospitals to insure the safety of the
patients. Although the numbers were few the men
worked hard, and were engaged night and day in their
arduous duties. He was not present at all operations,
though it was an universal practice, at all general hospi-
tals, that the head of the medical department should
.al ways be present on such occasions,
Dr. Menzies, in reply to some further questions in re-
ference to the number and condition of the patients of
the general hospital, read several documents of an offi-
cial character. He then went on, in reply to a series of
questions, to state that he had all the medical references
tor the commandant to attsnd to, as well as the corres-
pondence with Dr. Hall. Lord Stratford sent to him
from time to time to ascertain if anything was wanted,
and he replied that with the exception of some chairs
and tables and a few other articles they were not in
want of anything at the hospitals. Lady Stratford sent
some linen, and it was accepted, but it was not wanted.
By General Peel—He considered that it was the com-
mandant's duty to see to the provision for clean linen in
the hospital.

Mr. WILLIAM viewed this as a commercial
question, and he believed that if either bill passed in
its present shape it would have a most inj wcious effect
upon the inland trade of the country.
Mr. SA_NDIRS opposed both bills, believing, as a
commercial man, that they would be produ alive o great
harm.

The house then divided, when there app wred—
For the second reading ll4
Against it
Majority —s6
The bill was then real a second time, and. orderA to
be referred to a select committee.

BILLS OF EXCHANGE "AND PRO:b:ISSORY
NOTES BILL.
This bill was also read a second time, :uicl wa3 or-
dered to be referred to a select committee.
UNION OF BENEFICES BILL .
Mr. FREWEN moved the second rea fling of this
hill, the main points in which he shortly re: e.i-red to.
Mr. COWPER contended that the chatlip!s proposed
to be effected by the measure were unnecesm.ry, whilst
the measure itself would not in its operitiott fulfil the
intentions of the hon. gentleman by whom it had been
intrlduced. He trusted, therefore, the hon_ gentleman
would not press his motion.
Mr. R. PHILLIMORE would not oppose -the second
reading of the bill, Vat he thought some modifications
might be advantagenusly made in it in conarctit tee. . •

By Colonel Lindsay—He had never heard of any of
the wounded men, after the battle of the Alita, remain-
ing four or five days without being attended to. Ad-
miral Boxer applied for some surgeons from Malta, who
came. He never refused the services of any medical
men to his knowledge. The officers who arrived from
the'Crimea with the wounded were sent either to Con-
stantinople or Scutari. In cases where they applied
for sick leave to return home a medical board was
held upon them. The board assembled at his autho,
rity. At first the medical board had to report to
Varna before permission could be given them to return
home ; but latterly they obtained leave as soon as the
decision of the medical board had been given. He did
not receive nominal but numerical returns of the deaths
in the hospitals. Latterly be received no returns of con-
valescents.

After a few words from Mr. BoUVERIE,
Mr. SPOONED expressed his approbation Of: the,
bill, to the second reading of which he offers a o
Con, but he quite agreed with the hon. gentleman (Kr.
Phillimore) that some alteration might be beneficially
male in committee.

Mr. HENLEY opposed the motion, on ib e ground
that it did not provide for parochial ministraa ;it )n.
Mr. FREWEN briefly replied and pressed 'hi .s motion.
The house then divided, when the numbers. were—
Ayes 3O
Noes
Majority - --82

Colonel Lindsay—Was it ever reported to you that
some men sent on board as convalescents were unfit to
be sent back to the Crimea ?

The motion was consequently lost.
ECCLESIASTICAL PROPERTY (IRFLLAND)

BILL.

Dr. Menzies—l never heard of such a thing taking
place. If the medical man in charge of those convales-
cents did not report any unfitness of patients for trans-
port he ought to have done so.
By the Chairman—He got numerical returns of deaths
on board the transports.

This hill was read a second time, and was ardered to
be referred to a select committee.
VACATING SEATS IN PARLIAMENT BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. WILLIAMS opposed the bill on the ground
that it interfered unjustly with the rights or constitu-
encies,.
Mr. BANKES also opposed the motion.
_ _ _

By Mr. Bramston—The board appointed to decide
upon the efficiency of Mr. Ward consisted of himself as
president, and two staff surgeons of the second class.
He thought the report was now in England.
This brought the examination of Dr. Menzies to a
close.
Dr. Dumbreck was next examined.—He stated that he
Was deputy superintendent of the hospitals, and senior
officer pro tempore. He arrived at Constantinople on the
16th April. He objected to the building selected for•the
hospital. He was in charge for a month. Dr. Hall arrived
on the 29th June, and superseded him. The food sup:
plied to the men was very fair, and he could speak from
experience, as he had himself partaken of the rations
served out. Many complaints were made respect-
ing the hospital tents, as well as the green coffee
supplied to the men. There was no want of
medical comforts at the battle of the Alma. The
wounded in that engagement were conveyed off the
ground on stretchers ; but at Balaklava and Inker-
man ambulance waggons were made use of for the pur-
pose. He did not know why Messrs. Black at Constan-
tinople were chosen from whom to purchase medicines.
Mr. Wreford, when once in want of wine, applied to
Messrs. Black. He had orders from Mr; Sidney Her-
bert to give Miss Nightingale every assistance in his
power.

Sir G. GREY explained that the bill ?maid only
apply in cases where a member of the Cto-vernment
merely altered his relation to it by changing;:, .on the re-
constitution of a Ministry, one office for anothier, which
did not In any way uumpromise his ludepen,36 net., but,
on the contrary, under the present state of tbe law, sub-
jected him to the inconvenience of submitting himself to
his constituency for re-election. It was necessary that
the house should be clearly informed that tb,e bill would
only have this limited operation.
Mr. BENTINCK and Mr. HATFIELD also 'opposed the
bill, the latter hon. gentleman moving that ;it be read a
second time that day six months.
Mr. BARROW, in seconding the amendment, con-
sidered that it was due to the oonstitnet 'cies of this
country that they should have an opportunity of ex-
pressing their approbation or otherwise of tile change of
office which had been undertsken by their representa-
tives who were connected with the ministry.
Mr. HENLEY and Sir F. THESIGEE supported the
amendment.

Mr. S. WORTLEY would support the motion, be-
cause he saw no constitutional objection whatever to it.
After a few words front Mr. DEEDES,
The house divided, when the numbers were—
Ayes
Noes 73
Majority
The motion was consequently lost.
THE SARDINIAN LOAN BILL.

The Chairman—Did you do so accordingly ?
Dr. Dumbreck replied that he did. He issued the
orders she wished to have executed. When that lady
arrived she expressed her surprise that the hospital was
in so orderly a condition under all circumstances.
Whilst Mr. Ward was alive the whole of Dr. Menzies'
difficulties arose from the way in which the purveyor
performed his duties. Mr. Wreford was not to be held
responsible for anything that occurred alter the 16th of
October. A great portion of his time was occupied
in preparing returns of the number of men in
the hospital, and reports of various descriptions.
There were plenty of operating tables after the battle of
Inkerman. Dr. Hall was responsible for everything
in the hospital at Bataklava. He (witness) never saw
the hospitals in the condition described by Mr. Stafford.
He inspected the ships for the transport of the sick and
wounded. After Inkerman the bedding on board the
transports fell short. He never used chloroform in ope-
rations; but he had seen it used without auy injurious
effect in such cases. The hospital arrangements were not
adapted to the circumstances of war. He thought the
mission of Miss Nightingale most desirable.
The Committee adjourned about 4 o'clock until to-
morrow.

On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
this bill was reads second time without opposition, and
the committee was postponed until to•morrow before the
notices of motions.
Some other business on the paper having been disposed
of, the house adjourned. shortly before six o'clock.

ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL CO3l-
- DAY.)

The committee resumed their inquiry this morning at
the usual hour.
Dr. Menzies was recalled, and stated that his position
at Scutiri was an anomalous one, and he did not know
really what to do.
Dr. Cumming was his superior officer, and gave orders
frequently without consulting him, and he felt himself
so awkwardly placed that he was often at a loss how to
act. Dr. Cumming arrived at the hospital in November.
The Chairman—What made you believe that he was
your superior officer ?
Dr. Menzies replied that Dr. Cumming was his senior
in the service ; and on his arrival he (witness) considered
himself superseded. He threw off all responsibility
from his own shoulders after the day Dr. Cumming
arrived. .

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM FIELD-
MARSHAL LORD RAGLAN.

(Prom a Supplement to last night's Gazette.)
WAR-DEPARTMENT, MaRcH 28.
Lord Panmure has this day received two despatches and
their enclosures, of which the following are copies, ad-
dressed to his Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Rag-
lan, G.C.B.

Mr. Layard—Therefore, that being so, Dr. Cumming
was responsible for anything that went wrong after
his arrival ?
Dr. Menzies replied that he euould say so. He un-
derstood Dr. Cumming Was his superior, and considered
he ought to obey Dr. Cumming's order. He considered
Dr. Cumming was responsible for the orders he gave.
Lord Seymour.—You statea the other day that you
had the charge of that hospital from Juno until the Ist
of January last ; do you mean to abide by that state-
ment ?
Dr. Menzies.—l do.

Before Sebastopol, March 13, 1855.
My Lord,—The enemy commenced working upon the
=melon in front of the tower of 31alakhoff in the night of
Friday; bat the nature of the work, from the thickness of
the atmosphere, could not be distinguished.
Great progress, however, had been perceived on Sunday,
and that night a strong working party of the British troops
was occupied in commencing a parallel from the advanced
point of our right attack, with a view to form a junction
with the corresponding parallel to be made on their sido
by the French, who began it on the following evening ;
and much was done to forward the operation before day-
light this morning, and it is hoped that the object will be
completed to-night.
The weather is generally fine in the early part of the
day, but towards evening heavy sea fogs come rolling in,
and wholly obscure the view of the place.
The enemy have shown a battalion and some Cossacks
on the heights abeve Balaklava and towards Namara, pro-
bably with the view to interrupt the French and English
wood-cutting parties, for the construction of gabions, in
the immediate neighbourhood, but the allied detachments
have not been obliged to discontinue their work.
I enclose a return of casualties to the 10th inst.
I have, &c.
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmuro, &c., &c.

Lord Seymour.—Well, then, yen were responsible.
Mr. Drummond.—Did Dr. Cumming show you any
document by virtue of which he superseded your autho-
rity ?
Dr. Menzies.—He did not

Mr. Ball.—Did Dr. Cumming give any order which
you considered interfered with your management of
tho hospital ?
Dr. Menzies.—No.

The Chairman—What authority did he give which
led you to believe that he waii your superior /
Mr. Menzies—He gave no authority at all.
The Chairman—Then why did you obey his orders ?
Dr. Menzies—l always regarded him as my superior.
He was above me in rank and seniority.
Examination continued—As all reports were made to
him, and he was responsible for what was done in the
hospital, perhaps, strictly speaking, he ought not to
have recognised Dr. Cumming's orders. He was under
the impression that he had come there to assume the
command of the hospital.
Mr. Layard—Did you remonstrate with Dr. Andrew
Smith on your " anomalous" position, as yen term it ?
Dr. Menzies—No. When Dr. Cumming arrived he
wrote to Dr. Smith, telling him of the fact, and asked to
be relieved from a share of his responsibility.
a.„The Chairman —A "share" of your responsibility.
Mr. Layard then resumed the examination of the
witness at the point he left off at yesterday. He ob-
jected to the position of the dead house fixed upon
by Dr. M'Gregor, because it was inconvenient and dis-
agreeable to the patients. He did all be could to keep
the hospital in proper order, but the Committee must
allow that his position was a very trying one. The
large numbers of sick who were continually arriving
quite overwhelmed him, and the numerous duties ho
had to perform rendered it quite impossible he could see
to everything, All he could do was to give directions
to the different officers.
The Chairman—Did you complain of your position,
or notify what you have just stated to any person ?
Dr. Menzies—No.
The Chairman—Then why do you complain now I
Why did you not complain then ?
Dr. Menzies—Because I thought it was of no use—
and I knew that there was nobody to relieve me at that
time.

Enclosure 1.

RETURN OF CASUALTIES FROM THE 9TH TO
11TH MARCH, 1855, INCLUSIVE.
18th Regiment of Foot-1 rank and file, wounded.
31th Foot-1 rank and file, killed.
41th Foot-1 rank and file, wounded.
55th Foot-1 rank and file, killed.
77th Foot-2 rank and file, wounded.
97th Foot-1 rank and file, killed.
Total-3 rank and file, killed ; 4 rank and file, wounded.
J. B. BUCKNALL ESTCOLTRT,
Ad j utan t- General.
Enclosure 2.
NOMINAL RETURN OF NON - COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES KILLED FROM 9TH
TO 11TH MAltell, 1855, INCLUSIVE.

KILLED.
MARCH 9.
97th Regiment of Foot,
Private John Widows.
MARmi 10.
55th Regiment of Foot.
Private John McGuire.
MARcH 11.
34th Regiment of Foot.
Private William Callaghan.
J. B. BUCKNALL ESTCOURT,
Adjutant-General.

Enclosure .1.•
NOHINAL RETURN OF 140 N-COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES OUNDED FROM
Oru TO 11rii MARCII, 1853, INWCLUSIVE.
WOUNDED.
MARCH 9.
44th Regiment of Foot.
Private Thomas paddler, severely,