The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-19 00:00:00

THE CRIMEA.

In reply to Mr. BERESFORD,
Mr. PEEL said an order had been sent to an eminent
house in Vienna to prepare a large quantity of summer
clothing for the troops, and he had no doubt they were
by this time supplied with them.

IRISH JUDGES.
In reply to Mr. H. BRUCE, as to whether a large por-
tion of the Irish Judges were incapacitated by age or
other infirmities from the regular discharge of their
duties.

Mr. UORSM A.N said the subject had been frequently
under the consideration of the Government, and was
still so. (Laughter.)

HOLYHEAD HARBOUR.

In reply to Sir R. BULKELEY,
Sir C. WOOD said the report of the engineers had
been already laid on the table, and the works to carry
out the northern breakwater would be carried out as
speedily as possible. A landing place was about to be
opened there for the accommodation of railway passen-
gers.

In reply to Lord NAAS,
Sir C. WOOD said the depth of water would be from
25 to 35 feet, and the area of the whole works would
cover 600 acres in extent.
PLANS OF THE EARL OF DUNDONALD.
In reply to Mr. FRENCH,

LordPALMERSTON said the plans of Lord Dun-
donald were last autumn referred to a committee of mili-
tary and scientific men ; but the difficulty of the case
seemed to increase as it was more looked into ; and
really was not prepared to state what day the Govern-
ment could give a final answer on the subject.
MR. LAYARD—THE LATE CAPTAIN CHRISTIE.
Mr. FERGUS would ask the indulgence of the house
while he proceeded to rescue the character of a gallant
officer from great and unmerited obloquy. (Hear.) It had
been stated in that house that the harbour of Balaklava
had been entrusted to Captain Christie, an old man up-
wards of 70 years of age, who from infirmity was unable to
leave his ship for six or seven days together without endan-
gering his life. The question wag then asked, such a man
being in command of the harbour of Balaklava, who could
wonder at the state in which it remained? Now what were
the facts? Ile had known in close neighbourhood Captain
Christie many years. He had never known that officer to
have any physical complaint. He was 57 years of age when
he left this country for Balaklava, and he was of vigorous
and athletic constitution. Captain Christie was never in
command of the harbour of Balaklava —he was in command
of the transports outside tho harbour, and he was always
where his duty called him. There was every allowance to Le
made for a gentleman who was, with a single eye, conscien-
tiously engaged in making investigations for the good of the
country, for any falseinformation he might collect; but that
gentleman was bound, after making incorrect statements,
when facts were explained, to give his statements full and
proper contradiction and explanation. In Feb. last a letter
was written to the gentleman who made the statement in
question :

" Sir, —I read with much regret your statements with
regard to Captain Christie. A reference to the Admiralty
books would easily show you that he entered the service
in 1813, being then 12 years old. I shall not trouble yott
with a detail of his services, but you will find he has al-
ways been accounted an energetic and painstaking officer.
At Balakl xva, having been ordered outside the harbour,
along with the transports, previous to the gale of the 14th
of November, he saved the ship in which he was—the
Melbourne—through his own exertions in cutting away
the masts. He also 3 times sent in a lieutbnant to beg the
senior naval officer to allow the Prince to go into harbour,
as she had only one anchor; but that was refused, and she
was lost. You will at once perceive that your statement
has placed an active an meritorious officer, 57 years of age
in the eyes of the country in the position of an imbecile
dotard. (Cries of hear.) Trusting to your known gene-
rosity of character I cannot doubt that you will pub-
licly correct a mistaken statement so publicly made. I am
aura you will excuse the feelings of a sister,and the tres-
pass on your time, on behalf of an absent brother." (Cheers.)
Now, he wished, not exactly to the question, to
say that the statement with regard to the Prince transport
was perfectly correct, and would have been confirmed by
Captain Christie himself had he lived to take his trial by
court-martial ; it would be confirmed by the right hon.
gentleman who was at the time at the head of the Admi-
ralty. Another letter was written to the hon. gentleman
by a brother of Captain Christie, which bore truth on the
face of it. These letters were in the possession of the hon.
gentleman more than ten weeks. The relatives of Captain
Christie remained in suspense; but it was not suspense to
Captain Christie—it was anguish. (Hear.) Capt. Chi istie
was keenly alive to his professional position ; his reputation
Was dearer to him than lire. He usedno exaggeration when
he used that expression—that anguish and anxiety did for
theegal!v.nt officer what years and active service could not
and clone. Tim refutation of the error did not come,
where neit down in the'midst of his duties, and had gone
Re bg4tui t r slander nor praise could reach him. (Cheers )
he recei,wa ()ask the Ilan. member for Aylesbury whether
to them ? those letters, and what answer he had given
terestMr. LA.
areYat sA.D.._lareally feel ashamed when great in-
wars Rtake,
is at its pitch, onnati when the excitement upon this
amount of what has taken place in
of tia
the East, that the time e house should be taken up in
u aitions of this kind--lollq eb)—whieh involve persdnal
erhaps I should say, one
whether tla
matters. I ask hon. menahees-.-1,
gallant gentleman in particular—
gentlemen are be '
renew to-night the unseemly scene which sy intend to
took place the
other night ? (Oh, oh.) Those hon.
on the house great discredit. (Oh,
eh' and langlater I"ing
iv g gaining ground in this country. .)
)There
a feeling
up in ibis country that the
Question.") The question is the adjournment of (Cries
tlioisf
house. I say, a feeling is rising
time of this house is taken up and trifled with, and that
this house is made the arena of personal altercation. That
feeling is gaining ground, and I warn hon. and gallant
gentlemen opposite—(laughter)—that that feeling way
gain a ground too wide and too vast in the country. Now,
sir, I will answer the question which the hon. member has
put to me, although the proceeding is not quite regular,
fur if the hon member had spoken to me before he raised
this cinest•
11 I would hityn purl' lux raga_ informatics as

would have enabled him to place it in different terms be-
fore the house. He has, no doubt, Imintentionally, mis-
(lowa Imy speech altooo,-ther. I ha,v- referred to three or
four newspapers in this house—if I may be allowed to
refer to newspapers in this house—and Ihave compared their
reports. I do not pretend to recollect the exact words I
used, but referring to the Morning Herald, the piper that
has attacked me the most, I am represented to say that
Captain Christie was about 70 years of age—other papers
make me say upwards of 70 years. I will read from the
Times what I said :
" Who is at the head of the transports at Balaklava ?
Captain Christie, an old gent'eman upwards of 70 years of
age, a gallant gentleman no doubt, but he cannot leave his
ship after dark for fear of a catarrh, which might en-
danger his existence. I know he is often five or six days
without being able to land at Balaklava. Are you then
surprised at the state in which Balaklava was ?"
During the time I was at Balaklava, on board the Agamem-
non, I had almost daily opportunities of seeing Captain
Christie. Against his private character I have nothing
whatever to say. He appeared to me to be a man about
70 years of age, and I had frequently heard a high autho- 1
rity say he was not a man competent to fill the position he
held. That opinion I formed myself strongly. I had a right
to form it. At that time the existence of thousands was
dependent on those who were placed .t the heads of de-
partments ; and I, as a member of parliament and an En-
glishman, had a perfect right to express my opinion to the
country of any man at the head of any of those depart-
mentg. There is no one impartial man, or one not wishing
to make political capital out of such matters, could venture
to say that anything more was to be inferred from my re-
marks than that Captain Christie was an old man—too old
to be at the head of his department. I did not know
whether he was 60 or 70 years of age. By his appearance
I was justified in saying he was about that age, as I might
express my opinion of the age of any man in this house,
and be mistaken. A few days after I received a letter from
Capt. Christie's brother. Now, no one is more ready in
this, house to atone for an error—if I have reason to believe
it to be an error—(oh, oh)—than I am. When a gentle-
man out of doors addresses an unseemly and unbecoming
letter to a member of parliament, and publishes that letter
in the newspapers' I apprehend, then, the duty of a mem
ber of parliament ceases. Now, what was the letter ? It
opened with a statement contrary to fact :
' If your speech has been correctly reported, I have to
inform you that you have stated what is contrary to fact,
and have thereby done what you can to injure an absent
man."

It may be in the recollection of the house there was a
change of Ministry going on, and great excitemont in the
country, and I had not an opportunity of making a state-
ment in the house ; and, after receiving such a letter, I
very much doubt whether I should have made any state-
ment; and when I saw that letter published in the news-
papers, I might fairly have considered myself as relieved
from any further notice of it. I believe I did afterwards
receive a letter, whether from that same gentleman or
another I cannot say, but I remember I did write an
answer to it, and received a reply from the gentleman to
whom it was addressed, to say that he was the peison who
tad written to me. I have looked among my papers, but
am sorry to say I cannot find the letter. Some time after-
wards I received a letter from Captain Christie—that letter
was written under a misconception of facts. No_doubt he
was informed I said be was 70 years of age. I never said
it—(hear)—the only thing I said was he was unable to un-
dergo exposure on account of the state of his health. The
moment I received that letter I wrote a reply, directed, as
he wished, to his agent, J. H. Same:—
" 9, Little Ryder-street, April 17, 1855.

"Sir,—l have to acknowledge the receipt of yOur note,
dated Balaklava, 26th March. I had already received a
communication from your brother on the subject of your
age. Had that communication been worded in a becoming
manner, I should have at once acknowledged my error in
the House of Commons ; but, as it was not so worded, and
as your brother thought fit to publish it in a newspaper, I
did not consider it incumbent upon me to take any notice
of it. With regard to your suffering from disease—such a
statement was not made by me. I argued that a man of
your age could not perform the duties imposed upon an
officer in your position, without running the risk of injury
to his health.

" With regard to your management of the harbour and
the shipping in it, that is now the subject of par iawentary
inquiry, and I have no doubt that if you will inform Mr.
Roebuck of your arrival in England, he will summon you
before the committee, and you will then have an opportu-
nity of clearing yourself from any imputation that may
have been thrown upon you.
" I ani, sir, your obedient servant."
_ " Captain Christie."

I sent ft to the address in question, lint whether it was
forwarded to Captain Christie, or not, I cannot say ; nor
do I know what became of the letter. Now, sir, with re-
gard to Captain Christie's position in the harbour of Ba-
laklava, I may, perhaps, be allowel to refer to the evi-
dence taken before the committee. There is considerable
doubt on the subject. The evidence of the witnesses clashes

with regard to hi's powers. I Myself formed my opinion
from what I saw. I have a right to do so, and to express
that opinion. I have refrained from giving any personal
opinion on the evidence, leaving that task to the commit-
tee ; but if I can ask hon. gentlemen for any justice or
fair play, I would ask them whether there is one word in
the extract which authorised a court-martial to be held on

Captain Christie. (Hoar.) Because I said a man was 70
years of age, is that a reason for trying him by court-mar-
tial ? And now I actually find myself charged with the
murder of Captain Christie. The right hon. gentleman
behind me (Sir J. Graham), when in the committee-room
the other day, in a tone and manner that no one could
mistake, and I appeal to the other members to confirm me,
when answering a question, turned to me and said, " Cap-
tain Christie is dead—a broken-hearted man." (Hear.)
Yes, it was well said by a right. hon. gentleman opposite,
if you would trust a bad case to good hands, go there. (Hear,
and laughter.) Who was responsible for Capt. Christie's
trial ? What did the right hon. gentleman tell the com-
mittee that Captain Christie was put on his trial for ?
Because I said he was an old man ? No, but because the
right hon. gentleman at the head of the Admiralty thought
he might be considered guilty of causing the loss of the
Prince and_of landing Turkish troops at Balaklava which
ought to have been landed at Eupatoria. In what I may
have said about the loss of the Prince, I always felt sure
that Captain Christie had nothing to do with it. I was
there the day after the loss of the Prince, and I was told
by everybody that the Prince could not come into Bala-
klava. Now, with regard to landing the troops at Bala-
klava instead of at Eupatoria, until the right hon. gentle-
man said so before the committee, I never heard a
word about it. Captain Christie was sent to be tried on

those two issues. I never raised them. If Captain Christie
has been an ill-treated man, who ill-treated him ? It was
the First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir James Graham) who
first listened to those matters which must have come from
other sources, and not from imputations I cast upon him.
I may be mistaken as to Captain Christie's age. (Laughter.)
I remember a remarkable mistake as to ages, and I will ap-
peal to the right hon. gentleman who corrected that mis-
take. In 1843, when a revolution broke out in Servia, Lord
Aberdeen who was then Minister fur Foreign Affairs, jus-
tified to a certain extent the non-interference of this coun-

try, and the carrying out of the Russian policy, on the
ground that the Prince Stirbey, who was then on the throne,
was too young a man, who had been taken from obscurity,
and who had no claim to his position. The riglst hori. gen-
tleman then pointed out that this young man was 40 years
of age. The matter involved a question of great interest,
but was Lord Aberdeen attacked or accused on account of

the mistake. But, when I make a mistake, you attack me
as if compelled to do so by political or party reasons. I
admit the mistake ab.,ut the age.; but if you think that by
crushing me—a poor man, a man of no weight in this
house --you may succeed, but you will not crush the cause
with which I am identified. (Hear.) You arehero to shout
me down because I attack a system by which you hon. and
gallant members sit in the house, and rise in the ranks of
the aimy without encounteiiug the dangers and lighting
th, battles of your country. (Oh, oh, and cheers.) You
mayhunt me down, but the country will not stand it. (Oh.)
Hon. gentlemen may repeat their cries, but I warn them
again that sooner or later—(Here the close of the sentence
was drowned in cries of " Oh.") pow, sir, with regard to
Captain Christie, no man can be more grieved than I am
at his death. If I could have done anything to save him I
should gladly have done it, quite as readily as if he was
my nearest and dearest relative. But I contend I had a
right to say, as a Member of Parliament, he was incompe-
tent to hold his position if I thought so; and I say a
member .of Parliament has no right to be exposed to
attacks, as I have been more than once, for doing his duty
—for the country will believe that such attacks are only
made for party purposes. (Oh, oh, and cheers.)

Mr. FERGUS, in explanation, said the hon. gentleman
had totally misunderstood his question. The letter he re-
ferred to was not a letter from Capt. Chliatie, bat a let-
ter from Mrs. Boswell, Capt. Christie's sister, forwarded
by himself to the hon. gentleman on the 28th February.
Sir J. PAKINGTON —As a member of the Sebastopol
committee, I feel bound to take some notice of the evidence
given by the right lion. gentleman (Sir T. Grah..rn). I
must say I never heard a more unfair representation of
that evidence than that which has been given by the hon.
member for Aylesbury. I heard the sight hon. gentleman
allude to the then supposed death of capt. Christie, for
it had not then been ascertained', and the right lion, gen-
tleman with a depth of feeling which I think did him
honour, said he believed at that moment that Captaiu
Christie was dead of a broken heart. I heard no more
from the right hon. gentleman than what a man of good
feeling-could have said who was giving evideuco with re-
ference to Capt. Christie at a moment of such melancholy
interest. I cannot refrain from adding my very deep re-
gret at the course the hon. member for Aylesbury has taken
on this subject. He says this matter is brought forward
for party purpose. and that there is an endeavour to crush
him. Let me tell him that if he is crushed he will have
crushed himself. (Cheers.) He will crush himself, as any
man will crush himself, who brings forward these loose
charges against public servants under circumstances which
prevent him from substantiating those charges. The hon.
gentleman is a man of great ability. He is a man able to
do good service, and I hope he wall do good service ; but if
anything will prevent his rendering good service, it will be
the want of precision and' the want of care with which he
ventures upon these charges. How dues this matter
stand now about Captain Christie ? To an officer, profes-
sional character is everything. The hon. gentleman comes
down, and says, in reference to an officer, he is 70 years of
age, and tao old for service, being unable to leave his ves-
sel for sixl%r seven clays at a time for fear of catching a
catarrh, and that he is unable to perform the public ser-
vice. lie then receives letters both from the sister and
from the brother of Captain Christie. He receives that
touching letter, which has been read by the hon. gentle-
man who so ably brought forward this matter. He re-
ceives a letter also from the brother. Last of all, he re-
ceives a letter from Capt. Christie himsel —after receiving
which, I confess, I should have thought that no man of
honour would have done less than acknowledge his error.
(Hear.) I regret the bon gentleman did not feel, after
receiving that letter, pointing out and correcting the errors
into which he had fallen, that his only course was to have
frankly acknowledged in the house the errors into which
he had fallen. (Hoar.) I take the course lam now taking
with great regret—l speak without any hostile feeling in
the matter—but I am sure hon. members will agree with
me in saying that the hon. Member will best consult his
own public character by not makieg any such charges as
those in future. (Hear.)
Mr. BRIGHT—I am afraid that the discussions which
have recently taken place in this house have to some extent
tinged its character. I have been a member of this house
for some years. and I have he iial several al tercetious of ono '
kinisand another, but I have never heard any altercation
before to night which bore to me the character of an un-
generous treatment of one of the members. (Ob.) The
hon. member (!Sr. Layard) seems to me, in the lint place,
to breve committed no fault—(ol)—and with regard to the
subsequent conduct of these transactions, he appears to
,ne to have done just that which any ouo of us would
if. he etateesel.',esr
Uava done under the (No, no) I
iaoetntto ° same circumstances.
want to
ivi honourable members whether any member
ment of which L© is the and to be charged with some grave offence i
that a certain person at the head of
departmenthim is about 70 years of age, I
much too old to manage the depart-
is the head! I colaisi point to two mem-